LI Ranking
Published on: 03 October, 2023 at 23:48 IST
In the ever-changing world of law, the knowledge and advice provided by prestigious law firms are incredibly valuable. As businesses expand and adjust to the shifting landscape these firms play a vital role, in influencing the strategies and choices made by organizations, across the globe.
Understanding the importance of these firms Law insider India has carefully Ranked them on following factors:
1.Reputation and Prestige: The firm’s reputation in the legal community, including awards, recognition, and historical significance.
2.Expertise and Specialization: Evaluated the firm’s expertise in specific legal areas and their ability to handle complex cases within those specialties.
3.Track Record and Case Outcomes: Examining the firm’s track record of successful cases and outcomes, including notable wins and settlements.
4.Client Feedback: feedback from current and former clients regarding the firm’s services, communication, and overall satisfaction.
5.Legal Team: Evaluated the qualifications, experience, and expertise of the firm’s partners, associates, and support staff.
6.Global Presence: Considered the firm’s international reach, including the number of offices and the extent of their global network.
7.Financial Performance: Reviewedd the firm’s financial stability, growth, revenue, and profitability over the past few years.
8.Workplace Culture: Evaluated the firm’s work environment, diversity and inclusion policies, employee satisfaction, and retention rates.
9.Industry Recognition: Consider rankings and ratings from legal publications, peer-reviewed directories, and industry-specific accolades.
10.Ethical Standards: Ensured that the firm adheres to high ethical standards and professional conduct, as evidenced by memberships in legal associations and ethical certifications.
By carefully evaluating law firms based on these criteria’s, the comprehensive guide of Top 10 Corporate Law firm has been enumerated which is as following:
1. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co (SAM)
Official Website: Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
A prominent firm with a strong focus on corporate law, SAM offers comprehensive legal services.
The firm is located in Asia-Pacific whose Executive Chairman is Shardul S Shroff and Managing Partners are Pallavi Shroff, Akshay Chudasama
The total Number of partners are approximately 163 whereas Number of lawyers are 812 With a total of 4 offices in India.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co is a prominent full-service law firm in India, with a rich legal legacy spanning a century. Their primary goal is to facilitate businesses by offering trusted advisory services characterized by excellence, responsiveness, innovation, and collaboration.
The firm plays a pivotal role in headline transactions across various industries and business sectors. It is recognized globally for its exceptional expertise in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, taxation, competition law, dispute resolution and arbitration, regulatory litigation, capital markets, and private equity. Additionally, they provide strategic guidance to multinational corporations entering the Indian market.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & co. Won the best law firm of the year (overall) 2023 at the Indian legal awards in law firm category.
Work Highlights
- Provided legal guidance to CA Magnum Holdings regarding the competition law implications of their acquisition of a majority share in Hexaware Technologies.
- Represented Carlsberg India in their application for leniency in a case related to a beer cartel.
- Successfully contested an interim order issued by the CCI on behalf of OYO, leading to its reversal by the Gujarat High Court due to the CCI’s failure to grant OYO a fair hearing.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM)
Official Website: cyrilshroff.com/
The Firm is Known for its extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions.
The firm is located in Asia-Pacific whose Managing Partner is Cyril Shroff with a total of 160+ Partners and approximately 1000 Lawyers working.
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has its presence in six cities across India and operates in two international locations.
Work highlights
- Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas represented the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a legal dispute at the Bombay High Court, where BCCI challenged an arbitral award that favored allegations of wrongful termination of its franchise agreement with Deccan Chronicle Holdings.
- The firm also offered consultation to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) concerning the issuance and allocation of rated, secured, listed, and redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) through a private placement method to identified investors. This transaction featured a complex security arrangement that involved creating a charge on the assets of APSEZ’s recently acquired subsidiary, Adani Krishnapatnam Port Limited.
- Additionally, the firm provided guidance on the issuance of listed, rated, and redeemable NCDs by DBL Infra Assets Private Limited.
- Furthermore, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised a consortium of banks led by Standard Chartered Bank in their capacity as collective lenders for the refinancing of the existing facility of Mumbai International Airport Limited. They also facilitated an additional facility in the form of bonds and term loan facilities. This Bridge Facility was structured with varying tenors ranging from one to two years, and it incorporated a cash collateralization structure within the financing arrangement.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3.AZB & Partners
Official Website: azbpartners.com)
The firm is regarded for its corporate and transactional practice, including mergers, acquisitions, and private equity deals.
AZB & Partners, a distinguished corporate law firm in India, is celebrated for its extensive involvement in high-value transactions and substantial deal volume.
AZB & Partners guided by its founders and managing partners, Ajay Bahl, based in New Delhi, and Zia Mody, located in Mumbai. Both are distinguished practitioners renowned for their track records in handling complex M&A deals and cross-border joint ventures.
The Number of partners is approximately 112 and with team of 450 + lawyers, with a total of 6 offices in India.
Work Highlight
- AZB provided legal counsel to HDFC Ltd and HDFC Credila in the divestment of a 90% stake in HDFC Credila to BPEA EQT and ChyrsCapital for approximately USD 1.3 billion. This transaction marks the largest private equity buyout in the financial services sector and involves both secondary sale and primary infusion. HDFC Credila is a prominent player in the Indian education financing market.
- AZB also advised ICICI Bank Limited and ICICI Securities Limited on a unique delisting process for ICICI Securities, following Regulation 37 of the SEBI (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2021. Under this scheme, public shareholders’ equity shares in ICICI Securities will be canceled, and ICICI Bank will issue new shares to them, resulting in ICICI Securities becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of ICICI Bank.
- Additionally, AZB provided legal guidance to IDFC FIRST Bank Limited in a proposed merger involving IDFC Limited and IDFC Financial Holding Company Limited. This merger, carried out through a composite scheme of amalgamation, represents a significant consolidation in the banking sector, following the HDFC Limited and HDFC Bank merger from previous years.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4.Khaitan & Co
Official Website: https://www.khaitanco.com/
Khaitan & Co has a diverse corporate practice and handles various aspects of corporate and commercial law suits.
Khaitan and Co, established in 1911, is one of India’s most historic and esteemed full-service law firms. It has a team of approximately 700 professionals, including 175 partners and directors.
Khaitan and Co maintain a strong nationwide presence with strategically positioned offices in six cities in India.
The firm also extends its capabilities to international markets through specialized country-specific desks and strong collaborative relationships with leading international law firms across different jurisdictions.
The firm’s teams consist of a formidable blend of seasoned senior lawyers and emerging talents in Indian law, crafting tailor-made and practical solutions to meet the precise needs of their clients. Trust is the common thread, whether nurturing long-standing relationships with loyal clients or embarking on new ventures with fresh ones. Khaitan and Co serves as a trusted advisor to prominent business conglomerates, multinational corporations, financial institutions, governments, and international law firms.
Work Highlights
- Khaitan and Co Provided support to SUEZ in thwarting a worldwide takeover bid by utilizing the Indian merger control regulations as a defensive strategy against a hostile takeover.
- Khaitan and Co Acted as legal representation for Anheuser-Busch InBev during the submission of a leniency application and subsequent proceedings before the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
- Currently Khaitan and Co is representing Apollo Tyres in an appeal before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) challenging a CCI decision that implicated certain tire manufacturers in price-fixing and cartel activities.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. J. Sagar Associates (JSA)
Official Website:: https://www.jsalaw.com/
JSA provides a wide range of corporate and commercial legal services, including M&A, banking, and finance.
The Joint Managing Partners are Amit Kapur and Vivek K Chandy. The firm has approximately 108 Number of Partners and a team of 221 lawyers, with a total of 7 offices in India.
The Firm was Established in the year 1991, JSA is a prominent national law firm based in India, with a presence in seven offices in six cities across India.
JSA is widely acknowledged as the pioneer among Indian law firms in driving the transition towards institutionalizing and professionalizing the ownership and management of law firms in India. This contemporary and forward-thinking approach is reflected in the work of its legal professionals.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Work Highlights
- JSA provided consultation to the shareholders of Solveda LLC and Solveda Software India Private Limited (“Solveda Group”) in the acquisition of a 100% stake, both directly and indirectly, by Saksoft Limited through its affiliates. This transaction included components in both the United States and India.
- JSA played a key role in assisting India Resurgence Fund (IndiaRF) in securing a majority stake in Ivy Health and Life Sciences Private Limited (“Ivy Health”) for a total of INR 525 crore.
- JSA achieved a successful representation for IntelliSmart Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. in a challenge related to the award of a tender before the Honorable Supreme Court.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. Trilegal
Official Website: https://trilegal.com/
Trilegal is known for its transactional and advisory work in areas such as M&A, private equity, and banking.
Trilegal, established in the year 2000, has experienced remarkable growth and emerged as a prominent law firm in India.
This firm has a team of over 650 lawyers, led by approximately 86 partners, with offices situated in four cities in India.
Trilegal possess the ideal blend of local expertise and insights to deliver cost-effective, solution-oriented, and high-quality legal counsel.
The firm’s core strengths lie in its unwavering commitment and client-focused approach. Trilegal takes pride in its ability to navigate complexity, think creatively, and devise innovative solutions for its clients. Their approach to work revolves around a deep analytical understanding of Indian law and extensive market experience, enabling the team to effectively assess legal risks and provide practical advice.
Consistently, both the firm and its legal professionals have earned recognition and high rankings from prominent legal publications across various practice areas
Work Highlights
- Provided guidance to the Tata Group in their acquisition of full ownership of Air India Limited (“AIL”), Air India Express Limited (“AIXL”), and a 50% stake in Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (“AISATS”).
- Offered advisory services to Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited regarding its planned merger with HDFC Bank Limited.
- Advised Visa International Service Association (VISA) in the sale of their complete shareholding in IndiaIdeas.com Limited (Billdesk), the largest payments aggregator in India, to PayU Payments Private Limited (PayU).
7.Luthra & Luthra Law Offices
Official Website: https://luthra.com/
The firm has a strong corporate and transactional practice and offers legal services across industries.
Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India is a leading full-service law firm in India, with a team of over 300 counsels and approximately 70 partners with offices located in four different cities in India, the firm consistently goes the extra mile for each client it serves.
Adhering to the firm’s tradition of providing outstanding legal solutions and client guidance, its teams ensure that clients receive practical, innovative, and cost-effective advice delivered promptly while upholding the highest ethical standards. The firm’s extensive knowledge, experience, and unwavering dedication facilitate the successful resolution of complex, high-value transactions and disputes through creative legal solutions.
Recognized globally and consistently ranked as leaders in their field, they adopt a forward-looking approach to the practice of law, encompassing both traditional practice areas and emerging sectors, thereby establishing benchmarks and maintaining the highest technical standards within the legal profession.
The firm has consecutively come in list of Top 10 Law firms
Since its establishment in 1991, coinciding with India’s economic liberalization, the firm has played a pivotal role in assisting numerous multinational corporations in establishing their presence in India and navigating the intricacies of the Indian legal system.
Work Highlights
- Provided guidance to ReNew Power regarding its acquisition of the Singoli-Bhatwari Hydroelectric Project, a commissioned 99 MW hydro power project in Uttarakhand, valued at INR 985 Crores.
- Acted on behalf of Scaler in their complete acquisition of AAIC Technologies Private Limited, an online learning platform, offering advisory services throughout the process.
- Advised Viyash Life Sciences, a pharmaceutical platform company under Carlyle, in two significant acquisitions: the purchase of a 100% stake in Appcure Labs and the acquisition of a majority stake in Appco Pharma LLC.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐
8. Nishith Desai Associates
Official Website: https://www.nishithdesai.com/
This firm specializes in international tax, technology, and corporate law, serving a diverse range of clients.
The firm maintains 8 offices worldwide with 69 member.
Its core mission is to offer strategic, legal, and tax services across a wide range of sectors, including intellectual property, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, corporate law, technology, and media.
The firm contribute valuable insights through articles and informative reports to publications that focus on the expanding Indian economy and its legal implications for the United States and other developed nations. The firm has achieved numerous milestones and received international and domestic recognition for its leadership in the industry. firm consistently rank among the top five law firms in India and are considered authoritative in international law circles. the client roster includes many Fortune 500 companies and successful Indian businesses. As a boutique-sized firm, firm have a rigorous client selection process to ensure that firm can provide maximum value in areas where the expertise shines.
Nishith Desai, the Founder and Managing Partner, extensively studied management styles of top global law firms before establishing Nishith Desai Associates in 1989. His inspiration comes from the principles of trusteeship and democracy espoused by legendary thinkers like Mahatma Gandhi and Charles Handy. Since its inception, Nishith Desai Associates has continued to evolve, guided by these beliefs, in its vision, values, policies, and culture, firmly rooted in an ideological and philosophical commitment to conducting fair business.
9.Talwar Thakore and Associates
Official office: https://tta.in/team/
Established in 2007, TT&A is a prominent Indian law firm known for its balanced, nuanced, and pragmatic advisory services.
Total number of professionals: working is approximately 90 with 22 partners, the offices are located in two cities of India.
Firm reputation is built on ability to provide original solutions with a holistic approach, enabling to handle complex matters across all practice areas effectively.
Firm take pride in fostering a collegial and professional workplace where team members can thrive in a friendly and stimulating environment.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐
Work Highlights
- Provided advisory services to Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan in their roles as arrangers for a term loan B facility, which was utilized by a wholly owned subsidiary of Byju’s. The facility involved participation from offshore institutional lenders.
- Advised the initial debenture holders in their subscription to senior, secured, unlisted, unrated, redeemable, non-convertible debentures issued by entities within the Shapoorji group. The issuance took place in multiple tranches.
- Offered guidance to Embassy Office Parks REIT (EOP REIT) in its debt-raising efforts, involving the issuance of privately placed listed NCDs. Additionally, provided advisory support to various special purpose vehicles (SPVs) of EOP REIT in securing lease rental discounting facilities from multiple lenders.
10.S&R Associates:
Official Website: https://www.snrlaw.in/
S&R is known for its expertise in mergers and acquisitions, banking, and finance, and is often involved in complex corporate transactions.
S&R Associates is a full-service Indian law firm with offices located in two cities in India.
With a team of over 120 lawyers, firm cater to the legal needs of both sophisticated international and Indian clients.
The core principles revolve around a steadfast commitment to delivering high-quality legal work, unwavering dedication to clients, and fostering a professional culture that aligns Indian legal services with international standards.
LI Ratings- ⭐⭐⭐
Disclaimer
The rankings of law firms provided on this platform are based on a thorough evaluation process conducted by our team of experts. However, it’s crucial to note that these rankings are subjective and should be considered as general guidelines rather than absolute truths. The legal industry is dynamic, and rankings can change overtime based on various factors, including client portfolios and market trends.
