India Business Law Journal Top Foreign Law Firms 2026

How has growth, opportunity and transformation over two decades shaped the India strategy across foreign law firms? Vandana Chatlani reports

When India Business Law Journal published its first survey of leading foreign law firms for India-related work nearly two decades ago, India occupied a very different position in the global legal and economic landscape than it does today.

International firms viewed the country as a market of immense promise but considerable complexity characterised by bureaucracy, regulatory hurdles, restrictions on foreign legal practice and an economy that, while expanding rapidly, had yet to establish itself as a central force in global commerce.

Twenty years later, that picture has changed dramatically.

The evolution of the foreign law firm market serving India mirrors the remarkable transformation of India itself. What began as a relatively small group of international firms advising on occasional outbound acquisitions, foreign investments and capital market transactions has developed into a sophisticated global ecosystem of dedicated India practices spanning virtually every major area of law.

Today, hundreds of international firms compete for India-related work, while many of the world’s largest firms maintain substantial India-focused teams, dedicated India desks and longstanding relationships with Indian corporates, financial institutions and domestic law firms.

In the early years, India-related mandates were concentrated in a handful of practice areas. Cross-border M&A, project finance and international capital markets dominated instructions, and most foreign firms approached India opportunistically rather than strategically. Few firms had lawyers whose primary focus was India, and dedicated India practices were the exception.

But as India’s economy expanded and Indian companies became increasingly ambitious global players, law firm strategies evolved. The outbound acquisition wave of the 2000s and early 2010s demonstrated that Indian businesses were no longer simply recipients of foreign capital; they were becoming multinational investors in their own right.

Conglomerates, technology companies, pharmaceutical groups and infrastructure businesses began pursuing acquisitions and investments across Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. International firms responded by building specialist India teams capable of supporting clients wherever opportunities emerged.

At the same time, the nature of India-related legal work became more sophisticated. What was once primarily transactional evolved into a multidisciplinary practice encompassing private equity, venture capital, restructuring, competition law, investigations, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, technology, data protection, international trade and dispute resolution. For many global firms, India work has shifted from a niche practice to a strategically important business line.

Perhaps the most significant change has been the maturation of the Indian legal market itself. The rise of sophisticated domestic law firms, internationally experienced in-house legal teams and globally minded business leaders has transformed client expectations.

In response, foreign firms have moved beyond viewing India simply as an emerging market opportunity. Many have recruited India-qualified lawyers, established India groups across multiple offices, appointed India practice heads and invested heavily in understanding India’s regulatory environment, business culture and commercial realities. Others have strengthened relationships with Indian firms and developed strategic alliances designed to position themselves for long-term growth.

The perception of India has also undergone a fundamental shift. Earlier editions of this report frequently focused on India’s future potential. Today, India is increasingly viewed as a present-day opportunity. It has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, a leading destination for global capital and a critical component of multinational supply chain strategies.

Geopolitical developments, including supply-chain diversification, shifting trade patterns and ongoing strategic competition between major economies, have further elevated India’s importance in boardrooms around the world.

The past 12 months have reinforced this trend. India’s growing network of trade and investment agreements – including the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement and the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty – have strengthened investor confidence and created new opportunities for cross-border legal work.

Regulatory modernisation, including developments in data protection, cybersecurity, AI governance and criminal law reform, has generated increasing demand for international firms capable of advising clients across multiple jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the gradual liberalisation of India’s legal sector has encouraged foreign firms to deepen their India capabilities and expand their relationships with domestic firms.

The opportunities are evident across a broad range of practice areas. India remains one of the world’s most active capital markets, with strong IPO activity attracting international investors and generating significant work for global firms. Private equity and venture capital transactions have also remained robust, while inbound investment continues to flow into technology, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and industrial sectors.

At the same time, Indian companies continue to pursue overseas acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, creating demand for sophisticated advice on financing, governance, antitrust, sanctions and post-acquisition integration.

The disputes landscape has evolved in parallel. Rising foreign investment, increased cross-border commerce and more complex commercial relationships have driven growth in international arbitration and cross-border litigation involving Indian parties. Technology, infrastructure, shareholder, intellectual property and data-related disputes are becoming increasingly common, while clients seek advisers capable of managing proceedings across multiple jurisdictions.

Arbitration remains the preferred mechanism for resolving many international disputes, supported by India’s growing dispute resolution infrastructure and increased use of mediation and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Looking ahead, the question is no longer whether foreign law firms should invest in India capabilities, but how much they are willing to invest.

Competition for India-related work has never been more intense as firms from around the world are expanding teams, strengthening local relationships and integrating India expertise into their global practices.

The reason is simple: India is no longer viewed as a market of future promise alone. Rather, it is increasingly regarded as one of the most important long-term growth opportunities in the global legal industry, making a credible India strategy an essential component of international success.

TOP 15

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• 1. A&O Shearman
  

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• 2. Baker McKenzie
  

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• 3. Bird & Bird
  

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• 4. Clifford Chance
  

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• 5. Freshfields
  

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• 6. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
  

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• 7. Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
  

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• 8. Jones Day
  

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• 9. King & Spalding
  

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• 10. Kirkland & Ellis
  

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• 11. Latham & Watkins
  

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• 12. Milbank
  

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• 13. Linklaters
  

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• 14. Sidley Austin
  

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• 15. White & Case

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A&O Shearman stands tall among its peers, recognised for its achievements on large, complex and innovative deals. Highlights of the past year include advising the mandated lead arrangers and underwriters on a SGD1.32 billion (USD1.02 billion) back-leverage financing for Stellar Asia Holdings II for its investment in Nxera, alongside Singtel; acting for the book-running lead managers as US counsel on the State Bank of India’s USD2.9 billion qualified institutional placement; and assisting Hapag-Lloyd on the acquisition of a co-controlling stake in JM Baxi Ports & Logistics. A&O also supports non-profit Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access (IDIA) through training initiatives and internships for IDIA scholars in its Singapore office.

Baker McKenzie routinely appears as counsel on high-value headline deals. Examples include advising Harman on the USD375 million sale of its digital transformation solutions business unit to Wipro, and acting as lead transaction counsel on the provision of USD650 million secured multi-tranche syndicated social loan facilities to HDFC Credila Financial Services to further education for students from marginalised and vulnerable communities in India. “Baker McKenzie is our most preferred legal partner amongst foreign law firms,” says Gaurab Chaudhury, group CFO at Tata Autocomp Systems. They “provide practical advice on complex transactions … and state their views transparently”.

Bird & Bird has guided Indian multinationals and global corporates on complex mandates across technology, life sciences, infrastructure, energy, finance and professional services. The firm assisted Zydus Wellness on its GBP239 million (USD320.5 million) acquisition of UK-based digital consumer healthcare platform Comfort Click; and advised ICICI Bank on a MAD492 million (USD52.6 million) cross‑border bank guarantee facility supporting Tata Advanced Systems in connection with a Moroccan defence supply contract. One client notes the firm’s “strengths in handling both institutional and entrepreneurial matters, and its knowledge of the Indian and UAE markets”, while another praises its “proactive, solution-oriented approach”. Partner Surabhi Singhi is well regarded.

Clifford Chance’s India work is propelled by an integrated global team operating across London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, the Middle East and Europe. In one standout deal, the firm advised Tata Motors on the EUR3.8 billion (USD4.34 billion) recommended voluntary tender offer for Iveco Group, which involved comprehensive multijurisdictional antitrust assessment. The firm was also instructed by global investment firms SeaTown and Varde on a USD350 million pre-IPO financing for InMobi, India’s first startup unicorn. The firm’s core India group comprises partners Nish Shetty, Nigel Wellings, Jamie McLaren, Jason Mendens, Shaun Langhorne, Ranbir Hunjan, Sohini Kar-Purkayastha and Adrian Cartwright.

Freshfields has been a frontrunner on India-related mandates for almost three decades. In the past 12 months, the firm: advised Novartis on its proposed sale of its 70.68% shareholding in Novartis India to ChrysCapital; assisted Blackstone on the IPO listings of Ventive Hospitality on the National Stock Exchange of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange; and acted for Deutsche Telekom on satellite disputes and enforcement proceedings relating to an UNCITRAL BIT arbitration against India’s government. Partners Arun Balasubramanian and Piusha Bose co-head the India practice.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer runs a distinguished India practice, which was led with passion by partner Chris Parsons as chair from 2005 until his retirement in May this year. Partner Alan Montgomery now takes over as the new chair, while partners Siddhartha Shukla and Dhananjaya Chak co-head the practice. Last year, the firm was counsel to Wipro on its acquisition of a majority stake in French aerospace manufacturer Lauak Group. This year, the firm advised international lenders on the financing of two renewable energy projects for Clean Max; and BAT on its GBP315 million (USD421 million) sale of shares in ITC Hotels.

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader’s thriving India offering draws clients in search of expertise across the practice spectrum. The merger of Hogan Lovells with Cadwalader became official on 1 July, creating the fifth-largest law firm in the world by revenue with 3,100 lawyers and 900 partners. Stellar achievements include advising: Meta Platforms, on its USD100 million joint venture with Reliance Industries to develop and scale enterprise AI solutions for Indian and global markets; the lead managers on the proposed USD1.5 billion IPO of SBI Mutual Fund; and international and local lenders on the proposed financing of a combined solar and wind captive power plant in Karnataka.

Jones Day is hailed for its handling of sophisticated and sensitive matters, and an ability to work seamlessly across teams and jurisdictions. In a recent highlight, the firm advised Peabody on: its proposed USD3.77 billion acquisition of four metallurgical coal mines in Australia’s Bowen Basin from Anglo American; and a deal which required antitrust clearance in India, Brazil, Turkey, Vietnam, Japan, China, Slovakia, Taiwan and Korea. Arvind Sharma, a partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, appreciates Jones Day’s “deep understanding of the Indian legal and business environment” and commends partner Parveet Singh Gandoak for “exceptional legal acumen and a proactive approach in managing complex India-related matters”.

King & Spalding is renowned for its prowess on corporate M&A matters, dispute resolution and banking and finance assignments. Indian content technology platform VerSe Innovation turned to the firm when it acquired Magzter, which operates a global digital newsstand. Aditya Birla Group instructed the firm for advice on its USD125 million acquisition of AluChem Companies, and SpiceJet sought its expertise for several English Commercial Court proceedings brought by various lessors. Partners Amit Kataria, Sunandini Das, Tom Sprange KC, John Savage KC, Sajid Ahmed, Andrew Brereton and Rahul Patel are key India experts.

Kirkland & Ellis has long been a trusted legal partner to clients seeking advice on India-related litigation and arbitration, cross-border investigations, M&A, restructuring, tax, IP, and technology matters. Kirkland’s client portfolio includes Axis Bank, Essar Steel, Infosys, Lodha Group, Reliance Communications, Bain Capital, Blackstone, KKR, Dabur, Ranbaxy and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. Recently the firm advised Bharti Enterprises and Warburg Pincus on their strategic investment in Haier India, and counselled funds advised by Apax Partners on a strategic investment in iD Fresh Food, an Indian clean label food brand.

Latham & Watkins was an adviser on seven India Business Law Journal Deals of the Year 2026 – more than any other international firm. Recent highlights include: acting for Tata Capital on its USD1.75 billion IPO on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE); and guiding MakeMyTrip on its offering of USD1.25 billion of 0.00% convertible senior notes due 2030. Beyond capital markets, the firm advised TPG on its USD1 billion investment in Tata Consultancy Services to support the growth of their AI data centre business, HyperVault; and assisted Adani Airports on a USD750 million external commercial borrowing from a consortium of international banks.

Linklaters has been active in the Indian market since the mid-1980s and consistently ranks as a leading player. The India practice, based primarily in Singapore and London, stands out for its expertise in capital markets, banking and finance, and M&A corporate work. Highlights in the past 12 months include advising Jefferies India as placement agent on JSW Energy’s INR40 billion (USD418.8 million) qualified institutional placement of shares; underwriting Powerica’s INR11 billion IPO on the National Stock Exchange of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange; and guiding Nexans on exclusive negotiations to sell its autoelectric business to Samvardhana Motherson.

Milbank’s India practice is co-ordinated primarily through its London, Hong Kong and Singapore offices, bringing vast experience on high-end export credit agency work, telecoms and technology, infrastructure and project bonds, and private equity and corporate finance. Key highlights include advising: Apollo Management on the purchase by Apollo-managed funds and other investors of USD750 million senior secured notes issued by Mumbai International Airport; I Squared Capital on its USD130 million financing to Cube Highways & Infrastructure II to partly fund the acquisition of Chenani Nashri Tunnelway; and the lenders on USD162 million dividend recap financing for EQT in relation to Indian pharma company Indira IVF.

Sidley Austin runs a thriving India practice winning roles on assignments such as: international counsel to the underwriters on Tata Capital’s USD1.75 billion IPO; legal counsel to Macquarie Asset Management on the sale of its Safeway Concessions toll roads platform in India for USD1.7 billion; and adviser to Hindalco Industries in the first administrative review by the US Department of Commerce of the anti-dumping duty order on common alloy aluminum sheet from India. “Sidley is always ahead of the curve on the international regulatory framework,” says Vishal Bandekar, senior vice president at Kotak Mahindra Capital. “We have always loved working with them.”

White & Case is frequently at the forefront of many complex, high-value and strategically important India-related matters for corporates, financial institutions, sponsors and the government. The firm demonstrated its corporate clout as adviser to Sun Pharmaceutical on its USD11.75 billion acquisition of US drugmaker Organon & Co. It also assisted Tropical General Investments on its joint venture with Reliance Consumer Products, marking the latter’s first major foray into the fast-moving Nigerian and West African consumer goods markets. On the contentious side, the firm is representing India in enforcement proceedings brought by Deutsche Telekom, related to two arbitration awards for a cancelled satellite deal.

KEY PLAYERS

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• 1. Ashurst Perkins Coie
  

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• 2. Cleary Gottlieb
  

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• 3. Cooley
  

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• 4. Covington & Burling
  

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• 5. DLA Piper
  

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• 6. Eversheds Sutherland
  

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• 7. Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
  

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• 8. K&L Gates
  

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• 9. Mayer Brown
  

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• 10. Penningtons Manches Cooper
  

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• 11. Reed Smith
  

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• 12. Simpson Thacher
  

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• 13. Skadden
  

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• 14. Stephenson Harwood
  

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• 15. Three Crowns

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India-focused clients have faithfully relied on Ashurst to steer their deals and disputes. The firm secured a favourable order for Pharmacor, an Australia-based subsidiary of India’s Alkem Laboratories, in patent proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia. It also assisted India’s Amplus Energy Solutions – an affiliate of Petronas – on the sale of its shareholding in Amplus Energy Solutions FZE in Dubai to Three Eight Six. Ashurst completed its merger with Perkins Coie on 1 July 2026, shifting the India practice to a centralised offering across 52 offices and 23 countries under the unified Ashurst Perkins Coie platform.

Cleary Gottlieb is often selected by clients for complicated cross-border assignments. Goldman Sachs turned to the firm when it was financial adviser to Iveco Group on the latter’s EUR3.8 billion (USD4.3 billion) acquisition by Tata Motors. Later, TPG Rise instructed the firm on its carve-out and acquisition of Siemens Gamesa’s wind turbine business in India and Sri Lanka, together with a long-term technology licensing agreement with Siemens Gamesa. “The Cleary London team of partners – Nallini Puri, Nick Levy and Tihir Sarkar – is fantastic; commercial with tremendous domain expertise,” says Nisha Kaur Uberoi, chair of the competition practice at JSA.

Cooley’s strengths lie in fund formation, venture capital, emerging companies, capital markets and M&A. The firm supports many of the world’s most disruptive companies and innovators as they expand into and out of India. Last year, the firm advised ChrysCapital on its record USD2.2 billion closing for its 10th fund in India’s largest private equity raising to date. It also assisted Reliance Industries on its joint venture with Meta to build and scale AI solutions for enterprises in India and select international markets. The firm bolstered its India team with the arrival of two new partners – Shashwat Tewary from Sidley Austin and David He from Gunderson Dettmer.

Covington & Burling has built a vibrant India practice over 25 years. This year the firm represented Jio Financial Services on a joint venture with Allianz Europe in the Indian domestic reinsurance space, and advised Bajaj Auto on US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and EU sanctions. Rohit Rajagopal, vice president and general counsel at Acme, has worked with the firm on project development mandates, some of which “are an industry first and highly complex”, he says. Rajagopal commends chair of global project development and finance practice group Agnieshka Klich and special counsel Nitin Banerjee “for their exceptional experience in infrastructure-related matters and focus on commercial sensitivities”.

DLA Piper added to its corporate credentials when it advised Wipro on the acquisition of the digital transformation solutions business unit of Samsung Electronics-owned Harman last year. Meanwhile, in April it concluded two major deals. One was for Haier Smart Home on the partial sale of its shareholding in Haier India and the latter’s issuance of new equity to an investor consortium comprising affiliates of Warburg Pincus and Bharti Enterprises. The second was for Everstone Capital on its USD270 million investment in Apothecon Group, a combined entity between India-based Apothecon Pharmaceuticals and US-based Navinta III.

Eversheds Sutherland’s global reach earned it a role as lead Asia counsel to Edwards Lifesciences on the USD4.2 billion sale of its critical care business to American medtech multinational BD, covering 39 jurisdictions including India. The firm also advised GSK Pharma on renewable energy arrangements with CleanMax, including a group captive structure for solar power supply to its Maharashtra facility. Arpinder Singh, the India and emerging markets leader at Ernst & Young, consulted the firm on cross-border and India-linked matters involving regulatory, investigations and deal-related complexities. “They translate complex legal issues into actionable insights … and are particularly effective in matters that require co-ordination across geographies and disciplines,” he says.

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has decades of experience assisting on deals with an India element. Last year, the firm guided Marriott International on its minority equity investment in Concept Hospitality, an Indian hotel management company with more than 100 hotels across 90 locations. This year, the firm was international legal counsel to Blackstone on a USD600 million equity fundraising for Mumbai-based AI infrastructure company Neysa, through which Neysa intends to secure an additional USD600 million debt financing. Partner Jai Pathak and of counsel Karthik Ashwin Thiagarajan are primary contacts.

K&L Gates’ India practice is served by lawyers based in 28 offices across Asia, the US, UK and Europe led by partner Anil Patel in Houston. Much of the firm’s India-related work is handled from Singapore by partners David Kuo, Meraj Noor and Raja Bose. The firm recently advised Olam Holdings on the USD375 million sale of Mindsprint and its subsidiaries to Wipro Networks. In addition, it was counsel to Samvardhana Motherson International on two transactions: the acquisition through its subsidiary SMRP of a 95% stake in Japanese automotive parts manufacturer Atsumitec; and its investment in Rider Dome, which specialises in rider assistance systems for two-wheelers.

Mayer Brown’s work for Indian and international financial institutions in 2025 spans high-value capital markets transactions, cross-border financings and renewable energy projects, reflecting deep expertise in both Indian and global regulatory environments. Major mandates include advising: Manappuram Finance on its update of a USD750 million secured EMTN programme; the arrangers and dealers on the update of a USD5 billion GMTN programme by Axis Bank; and IT solutions provider Hexaware Technologies on its acquisition of SMC Squared, a leader in building global capability centres.

Penningtons Manches Cooper enjoyed a busy year on India-related assignments. Shipping Corporation of India relied on the firm to draft and negotiate a memorandum of association (MOA) for its acquisition of two large gas carriers procured from Qatari shipping major Milaha. Nomura Research Institute and Planit Holdings instructed the firm on the sale of Planit UK to 2i Testing. The multijurisdictional deal involved the critical role of Planit’s Hyderabad office as a key India delivery centre for the wider business. Penningtons designed a bespoke transitional services agreement with a focus on outsourcing arrangements, data protection, operational continuity and integration risk relating to the Hyderabad hub.

Reed Smith is known for providing sophisticated structured finance advice, helping banks and institutions navigate evolving market dynamics, risk frameworks and complex lending structures. In January, the firm welcomed banking and finance expert Gregory Xu from Stephenson Harwood. Soumya Banerjee, segment legal head at YES Bank, calls counsel Aditi Aparajita and partner Gregory Xu “remarkable lawyers who bring a lot of knowledge, experience and a pragmatic approach” to corporate lending transactions. Partner Gautam Bhattacharyya, who focuses on international arbitration and litigation, is also a key contact for India-related matters.

Simpson Thacher’s India-focused transactions are led by partners Ian Ho, Jonathan Hwang, Makiko Harunari and Anuj Shah, each bringing expertise across M&A, private equity, real assets and financing. The firm has been a preferred adviser to Blackstone, advising on the purchase of South City Mall in Kolkata for USD377 million, and most recently advising the firm on the announced USD2 billion merger in the global packaging market of EPL and Indovida India. In addition, it was appointed as counsel by an affiliate of KKR for the latter’s sale of a majority stake in Avendus Capital to Mizuho Securities.

Skadden has been active on India-related international disputes and secured several significant wins in the field. The firm is currently representing one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges in a Singapore-seated arbitration against an Indian cryptocurrency exchange arising from the termination of a share purchase agreement between them. On the corporate front, it was counsel on two blockbuster deals: first, acting for Trip.com in the USD3 billion sale of a portion of its class B ordinary shares in MakeMyTrip; and second, advising Capgemini on its USD3.3 billion acquisition of WNS to create a global leader in agentic AI.

Stephenson Harwood is consistently active on Indian cross-border investments and disputes. Axis Bank called on the firm’s expertise for advice on its USD150 million unsecured term loan facility to Airtel Congo – one of the largest bilateral financings into the Democratic Republic of Congo by an Indian bank operating from GIFT City. Premji Invest and TPG Capital relied on the firm to carry out legal vendor due diligence for the offshore subsidiaries of ID Fresh Food India in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region, as part of their planned exit from the company. Fusion CX also instructed the firm to prepare legal opinions on its US, Jamaican and Canadian subsidiaries in connection with its proposed IPO in India.

Specialist international arbitration firm Three Crowns is advising a leading Indian renewable energy company in complex, multi-contract arbitrations arising out of the supply, installation and operation of wind turbine generators for large-scale wind farms in India. The case involves significant damages and technical issues. Montek Mayal, a partner and practice head for Asia and the Middle East at Osborne Partners, worked with the firm on two matters recently and says: “I found the team to be highly hands-on, commercially sophisticated, and particularly strong in dealing with complex damages and evidentiary issues in high-stakes disputes.”

SIGNIFICANT PLAYERS

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• 1. Addleshaw Goddard
  

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• 2. Arnold & Porter
  

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• 3. BCLP
  

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• 4. CMS
  

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• 5. Cravath Swaine & Moore
  

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• 6. Dorsey & Whitney
  

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• 7. Goodwin Procter
  

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• 8. Greenberg Traurig
  

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• 9. Gunderson Dettmer
  

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• 10. Kelley Drye & Warren
  

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• 11. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
  

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• 12. McDermott Will & Schulte
  

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• 13. Morgan Lewis & Bockius
  

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• 14. Norton Rose Fulbright
  

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• 15. Paul Hastings
  

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• 16. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
  

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• 17. Pinsent Masons
  

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• 18. Sheppard
  

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• 19. Stewarts
  

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• 20. Trowers & Hamlins

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Addleshaw Goddard saw an increase in India-related assignments in the past year. The firm was counsel to JSW Infrastructure on its joint venture with Minerals Development Oman to build a new USD419 million port in the Dhofar governorate of Oman. It also represented GuarantCo on its partial credit guarantee for a loan facility by Axis Bank to Chartered Speed to support the scaling and operation of a 300-plus fleet of electric buses across Chhattisgarh and Meghalaya. “Addleshaw stands out especially for being more agile, partner-led and commercially driven compared to some larger firms,” says Ramesh Krishnamurthy, global CEO of Komerz.

Arnold & Porter counts Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Eraaya Lifespaces, Aurobindo and Patel Engineering among its clients. Last summer, the firm boosted its India offering with the hiring of Pallavi Mehta Wahi as head of its Seattle office. Wahi has “an instinctive understanding of the deep connections that determine how decision-making in India truly works” and “has access to a huge local network”, says Bharat Anand, a Khaitan & Co partner who has worked with the firm on “cutting-edge AI and IP disputes”, and on global capability centres, JVs and investigations in India. “She is the single point of contact that any global GC looking at India truly requires.”

BCLP offers capabilities on both contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm recently advised Tech Mahindra on its acquisition of Finastra’s Fusion Cash Management platform software. It was also counsel to OGD Services, part of the Essar Group, in a high‑profile appeal before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for the recoverability of third‑party litigation funding costs and the enforceability of litigation funding agreements following the UK Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the PACCAR case.

“BCLP is very commercial, collaborative, responsive, technically excellent, relationship-oriented and good value for money,” says Vivek Chandy, joint managing partner at JSA.

CMS’ India work spans M&A, joint ventures, infrastructure projects, disputes fundraising and regulatory advice. This year the firm advised Climate Fund Managers on its USD32.2 million commitment from its EU-supported Climate Investor Two fund to the Akaia Green Fuels commercial waste-to-biogas facility in Uttar Pradesh. It also assisted Indian fintech unicorn Kreditbee on its reshoring and reverse flip from Singapore to India. “We have closely worked with [partner] Babita Ambekar on a lot of debt financing and equity transaction structuring, and she always has great advice and guidance,” says Purvasha Mansharamani, head of legal at Stride Ventures.

Cravath Swaine & Moore takes pride in its role on plum projects with an Indian element. Last June, Cravath acted as special US counsel, representing the underwriters on the INR125 billion (USD$1.31 billion) 144A/regulation S IPO of HDB Financial Services, a diversified retail-focused non-banking financial company. Cravath advised a large syndicate of underwriters while acting as sole US counsel to the transaction. At the end of 2025, the firm represented healthcare company Viatris on the USD815 million sale of its equity stake in Biocon Biologics to Biocon. Partners Philip Boeckman and GJ Ligelis Jr are key India team members.

Dorsey & Whitney’s (D&W) India practice focuses on cross-border M&A, US regulatory matters and sector-specific work in mining, healthcare, and food, beverage and agriculture. The firm is advising: Indian fintech unicorn Yubi on its US structuring; Indian battery tech company Gegadyne on US regulatory matters and China-related commercial opportunities; and a Lusophone African state on the enforcement of a multimillion-dollar commercial arbitration award against an Indian engineering and construction company. “D&W have been absolutely electric in their response,” says Amitesh Bhattacharya, group general counsel at Yubi. Partners Carsten Greve and Troy Keller are “meticulous and very detail-oriented”.

Goodwin’s India practice focuses on private equity, M&A, joint ventures and strategic transactions, venture capital, growth equity, fund formation and capital markets. African climate-focused investment platform Helios Climate turned to the firm for advice on its USD60 million fundraising, in partnership with Private Infrastructure Development Group, for SUN Mobility. Bengaluru-based SUN specialises in energy infrastructure and battery swapping solutions for electric vehicles. The firm’s life sciences M&A team, meanwhile, supported a subsidiary of Piramal Pharma on its acquisition of the global rights to Kenalog – an injectable product – from Bristol-Myers Squibb for USD35 million.

Greenberg Traurig represents India-based companies on complex, cross-border matters involving global growth, advanced manufacturing and regulated industries. Key assignments in the past year include: representing Praana Group on its acquisition of a portion of Halliburton’s multi-chem business; advising Samsung Electronics on its acquisition of FläktGroup, Europe’s largest heating, ventilation and air conditioning company, from Triton, which included a significant Indian subsidiary; and acting for multiple Indian generic drug companies on regulatory and dispute matters in the US. The firm profited from the arrival of former head of the global India practice at Baker McKenzie, Ashok Lalwani, earlier this year.

Gunderson Dettmer focuses exclusively on the innovation economy, advising companies and funds of all sizes across the US, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region. In the past 12 months it advised Prosus Ventures on its USD54 million series B funding of SpotDraft, an India-based AI-powered contract lifecycle management platform built for in-house legal teams. The firm has also guided longtime client Lightspeed India Partners as lead investor in the USD13 million seed financing of Level3AI, a Singapore-based startup building enterprise-grade AI agents that manage end-to-end customer engagement.

Despite a subdued US M&A and corporate transactions market, Kelley Drye & Warren’s India practice estimates it has opened close to 100 new matters during the year. The firm handled commercial disputes and corporate deals as well as employment counselling. In collaboration with the firm’s international trade and export controls practice group, Kelley Drye also advises clients on regulations relating to defence procurement, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Defence Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). Partner Deepak Nambiar chairs the India practice.

A key strength of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton’s India-related practice is its extensive footprint across major US business and technology markets. In addition to offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Houston, the firm has a significant presence in growth markets such as Atlanta, Raleigh, Seattle, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and Winston-Salem. In the past year, the firm advised on cross-border technology transactions, outsourcing, IP, regulatory matters, litigation, strategic investments, credit arrangements and operational matters involving Indian entities. Partner Sonia Baldia heads the India team.

McDermott Will & Schulte was formed last August by the merger of McDermot Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel. The firm brings together McDermott’s established strengths in areas such as health and life sciences and tax, with Schulte’s credentials in private capital, hedge fund and investment management. The firm is also continuing to invest heavily in digital assets, with a large and dedicated digital assets and crypto team. The firm’s India work covers M&A, private equity, white collar and investigations, data privacy and cybersecurity, tax, digital assets and, most recently, sports law, with its team advising on Indian Premier League mandates.

Morgan Lewis & Bockius offer clients guidance on inbound and outbound investment, joint ventures and strategic alliances, technology startups and innovative enterprises, infrastructure and project finance, IP and licensing, and data privacy compliance. The firm also brings expertise in aviation, acting for both Indian airlines and lessors leasing aircraft into India. Partners Rahul Kapoor, Divya Thakur, Sidanth Rajagopal, George Cyriac and Vishnu Shankar are key contacts for India-related work.

Partner Raj Karia heads the India practice at Norton Rose Fulbright with support from fellow partners Nick Merritt and Shabnam Karim. GlobalData instructed the firm as lead counsel for its acquisition of AI Palette, an AI-powered consumer insights platform. The transaction involved complex cross-border IP structuring, softwares service contracts and data compliance considerations. The firm also demonstrated its clout in the projects and energy space, advising TAQA on its divestment of TAQA Neyveli Power – which operates a 250MW lignite-fired power plant in Tamil Nadu – to MEIL Energy for about USD105 million.

Paul Hastings is advising the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the world’s largest hospitality trade association, on a broad range of India-related commercial, regulatory and strategic initiatives. A team led by partner Ferish Patel, who joined the firm in April from Cooley, also advised Brookfield Private Equity on the sale of its portfolio company, Sirion Labs, to Haveli Investments. “Ferish Patel and his corporate team are thoughtful and focused on achieving practical outcomes for clients,” says Kumar Shah, managing director at Brookfield Asset Management. “Ferish balances legal rigour with commercial judgement and leads sophisticated cross-border matters efficiently and effectively.”

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman’s India practice is supported by a cross-office, multidisciplinary team of partners including specialists in energy, infrastructure, technology, international trade, finance and disputes. “Pillsbury brings strong domain expertise, particularly in regulated and technically intensive sectors such as energy, infrastructure and nuclear-related matters,” says Sweta Durgavajjala, M&A manager at Larsen & Toubro. Martin Walter, head of legal at Aircraft Finance Germany, appreciated the team’s “ability to convey complex legal issues in an understandable and precise manner” during the company’s first sale and leaseback transaction for a package of three new Airbus A321neo aircraft with IndiGo.

Pinsent Masons has more than 2,300 partners and lawyers and a network of 31 offices on four continents. The firm’s India-focused work spans energy and natural resources, financial services, retail, sport and hospitality, infrastructure and real estate, professional and public services, and technology, science and industry. As part of its continued investment in the India practice, the firm welcomed Dinesh Banani as a partner and head of US securities from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. Banani has more than 20 years’ experience advising corporates and investment banks on equity and debt capital markets deals.

Since 2017, Sheppard has provided L&T Technology Services with advice on a nationwide basis on employment law issues, including compliance with US, state and local laws, and employment litigation. The firm is also a trusted adviser to HCLTech in connection with high-profile sponsorship deals, and Tech Mahindra in litigation, internal investigations and dispute resolution. Sheppard “is our trusted partner for the intersection of India-US commercial, disputes, licensing and related work,” says Eric Winston, executive vice president and general counsel at Mphasis. The firm “has a deep understanding of cross-border implications, legal issues and important cultural sensitivities”.

Stewarts’ India practice continues to work on complex, high-value disputes across a range of industry sectors. The firm is currently representing families of more than 50 passengers in their legal claims for compensation against Air India, Boeing and other potentially responsible parties in relation to the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad last June. Mahmood Khairaz, a director at Deinon Insurance Brokers, consults the firm on most legal matters both in India and internationally. “They are very proactive, prudent and detailed, and ensure we are well aware of all aspects of litigation in different jurisdictions,” he says. “They offer a comforting personal touch and gather facts with patience and sincerity.”

Trowers & Hamlins’ client roster largely comprises Indian public sector, private and non-bank lenders, as well as multinational banks with an Indian presence. It assisted State Bank of India on a structured trade transaction for Trafigura through a letter of credit facility and advised ICICI Bank’s IBU GIFT City branch on a USD50 million multi-facility financing to Jindal Seamless Pipe Manufacturing. The firm has “a good sense of what works in an offshore context for India deals,” says Ashish Gala, the co-founder and managing partner of VentureSoul Partners. India desk head Debopam Dutta’s “energy and commitment levels are quite impressive”, he adds.

REGIONAL & SPECIALIST

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• 1. Al Tamimi & Co (Middle East and North Africa)
  

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• 2. Bowmans (Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia)
  

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• 3. Collyer Law (Singapore)
  

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• 4. Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Australia)
  

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• 5. Dentons Rodyk Davidson (Singapore)
  

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• 6. Drew & Napier (Singapore)
  

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• 7. Duane Morris & Selvam (Singapore and Myanmar)
  

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• 8. Elias Neocleous & Co (Cyprus)
  

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• 9. ENS (African continent)
  

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• 10. Heuking (Germany)
  

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• 11. Mori Hamada & Matsumoto (Japan)
  

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• 12. Nishimura & Asahi (Japan)
  

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• 13. Rajah & Tann (Singapore and Southeast Asia)
  

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• 14. TLT (UK)
  

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• 15. TMI Associates (Japan)
  

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• 16. WongPartnership (Singapore)

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Al Tamimi & Co has seen growth in instructions relating to private capital, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, energy and more from Indian clients investing in the Middle East and North Africa region. The firm advised ODM Educational Group on its acquisition of Sabari Indian School in Dubai, and acted for HSBC Middle East on a USD45 million loan facility granted to Asian Paints. Puneet Rathsharma, a corporate and commercial lawyer at Pinac Law, says partner Richard Catling “is a commercially astute lawyer and drives client’s strategic interests very well”, while senior associate Pallavi Satpute’s “familiarity with Indian M&A transaction nuances and sensitivities is a great plus”.

Bowmans demonstrated its clout when it advised Natco Pharma on its USD221 million acquisition of a significant minority equity stake in Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Adcock Ingram. In another highlight, the firm was counsel to Africa50, together with Power Grid Corporation of India, on its landmark USD311 million public-private partnership agreement with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company to develop, finance, build and operate critical transmission lines in Kenya. “Bowmans gives great quality advice and is always very responsive,” says Rabindra Jhunjhunwala, a senior partner at Khaitan & Co who has worked with the firm across practice areas. “They really know the African landscape well.”

Collyer Law has jostled for position in the past decade, earning roles as Singapore counsel on high-profile deals including as adviser to Power Finance Corporation on its project financing to Gentari Renewables India Castor One to develop integrated wind, solar and energy storage projects in India. “I have found their advice to be more practical and execution-focused, especially in matters requiring co-ordination between multiple stakeholders and across jurisdictions,” says Ashok Ganesan, group company secretary at Sterlite Electric. “I particularly appreciate their ability to balance legal risk with commercial practicality, which is valuable for our ongoing business operations.”

Australian firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth focuses on strengthening India-Australia business ties across priority sectors including technology, media and telecoms, corporate, M&A, infrastructure, and energy and resources. Latha Nair, a partner at K&S Partners, praises the firm’s capabilities on intellectual property matters. “Their expertise in geographical indications [GI] work is exceptional for Australia,” she says. Nair admires partner “Stephen Stern for his depth and extent of experience in handling GI issues, and his litigation and prosecution experience”. He also recommends senior associate Nicholas Mason.

Indian clients who engage Dentons Rodyk Davidson profit from niche local knowledge and experience in Singapore together with a huge network of international offices through the Dentons brand, plus deep ties in India through the firm’s combination with Link Legal, formalised in 2023. In the past 12 months the firm has been instructed on a variety of disputes, tackling issues including misrepresentation, fraud, employment conflicts and unpaid debts involving Indian companies. Key members of the India team are senior partners Ajinderpal Singh, Kirindeep Singh, Sunil Rai, Ray Chiang and Sivanesan S.

“Drew & Napier is the firm you go to for highly complex technical matters when the requirement is to think outside the box and get creative,” says Chaitanya Arora, managing director at Secretariat International. “The team is formidable for dispute resolution services.” The Singapore firm handled a rich variety of mandates for Indian entities, which included assisting Dystar Global on the USD702 million exit of Kiri Industries, and acting in a USD300 million Singapore-seated arbitration against Byju’s Investments. CEO Cavinder Bull and directors Mahesh Rai and Abhinav Bhushan are highly respected.

Duane Morris & Selvam is hugely admired for the depth and breadth of its India practice spanning capital markets, oil and gas advisory, dispute resolution, and corporate M&A. Director and capital markets expert Jamie Benson is “an exceptional team leader … responsive, dependable, highly focused, result-oriented and calm under pressure,” says Saurabh Agarwal, the founder-director of Kennis. Sushmita Gandhi, a partner at Trilegal, describes director for corporate and energy Priyank Srivastava as “very knowledgeable and fiery in the work that’s entrusted to him”, adding that his “deep-rooted Indian connection and understanding of the Asian market gives him an edge in the India-Singapore market”.

Elias Neocleous & Co’s prominence in Cyprus is undisputed. Vilok Sharma, the co-founder of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, which has established a presence on the Mediterranean island, says the firm “combined technical legal expertise with responsiveness, accessibility and a commercially pragmatic approach”. In a recent highlight, the firm provided detailed Cyprus tax and structuring analysis and careful assessments of complex cross-border investment structures to Terminal Investments for the financing of its potential acquisition of a 49% stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port. Motaher Chowdhury heads the India desk with support from counsel Marina Joud and legal consultant Fabian Cabeza.

ENS continues to assist Indian corporates on the African continent, and African companies on their forays into India. ENS is particularly strong on IP matters and manages trademark and patent portfolios across Africa for Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Havells India, Bharti Airtel, Greenlight Planet, UPL, Solar Industries India and others. The firm recently collaborated with Indian counsel to protect African brand MTN Group’s single-colour mark – a difficult feat due to arguments around a lack of inherent distinctiveness. The matter involved at least eight separate hearings in India and the development of submissions to show the acquired distinctiveness of the colour in respect of the goods in question.

Heuking continues to maintain a tight grip on the India-Germany corridor. It advised Anand Group’s cleantech company, ANEVOLVE, which develops and manufactures eco-friendly technologies and systems, on the acquisition of APAG Group. It also acted for Luxor International and its German subsidiary on corporate governance issues and claims for damages against the former managing director. “Heuking is particularly strong in the areas of M&A, technology, public procurement and defence,” says Sachin Mehta, a partner at TT&A. He endorses partners Martin Imhof and Patrick Müller for their “quick turnaround and polite approach towards challenging transactions”.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is highly trusted by clients for business partnerships between Indian and Japanese companies. The firm advised Proterial on its joint venture with Shirdi Sai Electricals to build India’s first amorphous electrical steel manufacturing plant, and assisted Oji Holdings on its acquisition of a majority stake in Chemfield Cellulose. “With several Indian-qualified lawyers on their team, they are increasingly able to handle Indian matters independently, requiring limited local support unless the issue is highly complex or regulatory in nature,” says Rudra Kumar Pandey, a partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.

Nishimura & Asahi routinely attracts the lion’s share of major Indian-Japanese deals. The firm was counsel to Mitsubishi Estate and Sumitomo on their participation in a large-scale office development project in the Kalina district of Mumbai. It also advised Mizuho Financial Group and Mizuho Securities on their acquisition of more than 60% of the shares of Avendus Capital. Nisha Kaur Uberoi, chair of the competition practice at JSA, commends partners Taeko Suzuki and Shimada Madoka for their “tremendous understanding of the Indian market across sectors”, describing them as “very commercial and excellent lawyers”.

Rajah & Tann is an appealing choice for India-based clients looking at opportunities in Singapore, Southeast Asia and beyond. On the corporate side, the firm was lead counsel to the founder of Cloud4C Group when it was sold to Capgemini. Cloud4C, headquartered in Singapore, has most of its employees and operations in India. On the contentious side, it represented Zettai, the Singapore-based entity managing WazirX, a major cryptocurrency exchange platform in India, on restructuring liabilities arising from a cyberattack affecting more than 16 million users. A four-month moratorium was obtained to facilitate the development of a scheme of arrangement under Singapore law.

TLT has fortified its India offering, moving beyond multijurisdictional lending and cross-border enforcement. The firm supported the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade in negotiations resulting in a successful trade deal with India. In addition, TLT has seen an increase in activity across corporate, data protection, private client and regulatory matters. The firm advised the shareholders on the disposal of Neutral Digital, an augmented reality marketing company in the aviation sector, to Maxposure, and acted for IDBI Bank on the recovery of an USD85 million loan from a BVI borrower and its Indian corporate parent.

TMI Associates regularly advises on cross-border M&A, joint ventures, foreign investment regulation, corporate governance, compliance, labour and employment, dispute resolution and exit strategy. With 700 lawyers and 100 patent and trademark professionals, TMI is also well positioned to counsel clients on IP issues in the Japan-India circuit. Last June, the firm assisted L&T Semiconductor Technologies and Kaynes Semicon on their acquisition of the semiconductor module business from Fujitsu General. “Their cultural fluency across Japan-India matters facilitates constructive engagement with sponsors, lenders and Indian counterparties,” says Saurav Kumar, a partner at CMS IndusLaw.

WongPartnership showed its might on a recent high-profile investment case when it successfully represented Deutsche Telekom in Singapore enforcement proceedings before the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and a five-member bench of the Singapore Court of Appeal in proceedings relating to the enforcement of an investment treaty arbitration award against the Republic of India. The firm is also acting for Tata Power in a matter valued at more than USD490 million before the SICC. Mathew Chacko, a founding partner at Spice Route Legal, instructed the firm on a Singapore-India reverse merger, and says the team was “responsive, clear and extremely proactive”.

FIRMS TO WATCH

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• 1. Charles Russell Speechlys
  

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• 2. Debevoise & Plimpton
  

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• 3. DWF
  

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• 4. Fieldfisher
  

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• 5. Foley Hoag
  

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• 6. Gowling WLG
  

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• 7. Howard Kennedy
  

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• 8. Hughes Hubbard & Reed
  

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• 9. O’Melveny & Myers
  

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• 10. Orrick
  

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• 11. Osborne Clarke
  

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• 12. Ropes & Gray
  

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• 13. Slaughter and May
  

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• 14. Squire Patton Boggs
  

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• 15. Watson Farley & Williams
  

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• 16. WilmerHale

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Charles Russell Speechlys represented SkyPower Global on the sale of SkyPower Services MENA to Inox Clean Energy to launch a renewable energy platform designed to deploy more than 10 gigawatts of solar-powered infrastructure across Africa. Shashwat Sharma, a partner at Trilegal, says the firm is “commercially minded, responsive and solution-oriented. We found them very easy to work with and effective at managing transactions efficiently without overcomplicating issues.”

DWF assisted on bank lending transactions, acquisitions, employment and pensions, tax matters and more for Indian clients in the past year. The firm recently welcomed Rory White-Andrews, an India-focused restructuring and insolvency partner in its London office, and Imogen Francis, an India-focused IP director in Birmingham.

Howard Kennedy is acting in a complex London-seated International Chamber of Commerce arbitration for a state‑owned rail operator that is part of a large Indian‑headquartered multinational group. The case relates to the rehabilitation of a national railway line. “They are at the top end of the market,” says Chintan Chandrachud, a barrister at Brick Court Chambers. “The team is among the most collaborative that I have worked with. Arish Bharucha knows the Indian market inside out. Major Indian businesses trust him … his advice is candid and honest.”

Partners Ken Lefkowitz and Chuck Samuelson lead the India practice at Hughes Hubbard & Reed (HHR). The firm recently advised Infosys on two deals: its acquisition of Houston-based energy consulting company MRE Consulting; and its agreement to acquire Optimum Healthcare IT for USD465 million, marking its largest deal to date in the healthcare sector. “HHR is very effective and also cost-efficient,” says Inderpreet Sawhney, chief legal officer at Infosys. “Their advice is practical and pragmatic.”

Osborne Clarke provides ongoing pan-European commercial, regulatory and legal support to longstanding clients such as Tech Mahindra, Tata Technologies, ITC Infotech and Apollo Tyres on their operations and investments across Europe. The firm is currently acting for Switch, an electric transport provider and part of the Hinduja Group, in high court litigation in London against Transport UK concerning the performance of various electric buses on certain bus routes in London.

Slaughter and May is frequently at the forefront of landmark, headline grabbing deals. The firm is advising Diageo on its subsidiary United Spirits’ divestiture of its equity stake in IPL franchise owner Royal Challengers Sports to a consortium comprising Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy BXPE for USD1.8 billion. The firm was also counsel this year to Prudential on the IPO by its joint venture associate ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India.

This year, Squire Patton Boggs acted as US special counsel to Muthoot Finance on a USD600 million high-yield bond issue. The firm also advised IIFL Finance on the update of its USD1 billion global medium-term note programme, and a USD500 million social bond drawdown under that programme. The transaction was one of the first major deals executed under India’s newly liberalised external commercial borrowings framework.

Watson Farley & Williams advised the Japan International Co-operation Agency on a USD75 million financing package for ECOM Agroindustrial and ECOM Agroindustrial Asia as part of a USD175 million project aimed at strengthening supply chains and improving the livelihoods and employment of more than 60,000 small-scale farmers in India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam. The initiative will facilitate the stable procurement of coffee while also providing consulting services such as coffee certification support, climate change adaption pilot projects, and farming support for female farmers.

REGIONAL FIRMS TO WATCH

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• 1. Allen & Gledhill (Singapore)
  

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• 2. Anderson Mori & Tomotsune (Japan)
  

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• 3. Appleby (Mauritius)
  

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• 4. Atsumi & Sakai (Japan)
  

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• 5. Fasken (Canada)
  

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• 6. FBT Gibbons (US)
  

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• 7. Fladgate (UK)
  

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• 8. Hengeler Mueller (Germany)
  

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• 9. Inventus Law (US and India)
  

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• 10. Irwin Mitchell (UK)
  

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• 11. Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter (US Midwest)
  

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• 12. Keidan Harrison (UK)
  

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• 13. Kim & Chang (Korea)
  

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• 14. LCA Studio Legale (Italy)
  

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• 15. Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu (Japan)
  

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• 16. PDLegal (Singapore)
  

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• 17. Uteem Chambers (Mauritius)
  

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• 18. Yulchon (Korea)

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Allen & Gledhill guided specialty chemical company Kiri Industries on the USD689.03 million divestment of its 37.57% stake in DyStar Global Holdings by a combination of sale share and a share buyback. The firm was also counsel to DBS Bank, acting through its IFSC banking unit in India, on the secured financing of three A321neo aircraft to InterGlobe Aviation. This was DBS’ first aircraft financing in India.

Prior to listing its shares on the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange of India late last year, Lenskart had to ensure it filed appropriate disclosures regarding its subsidiaries Owndays and MLO KK in Japan. The company instructed Atsumi & Sakai, which seconded one of its lawyers to Owndays for more than six months to complete the work. It subsequently engaged the firm as Japanese legal counsel for its IPO in India.

Frost Brown Todd and Gibbons officially merged on 1 January this year, creating FBT Gibbons, with 800 lawyers across 25 offices in the US. The firm recently advised a US-based oil field services company on its joint venture in India to manufacture oil field chemicals and proppants for sale in India and export throughout the India-Pacific region. It also acted for an Indian bank on a USD40 million external commercial borrowing facility with the US subsidiary of a listed Indian company. In April, John Chrisman, who has advised on more than 250 transactions in India, joined the firm as a partner from Dentons.

Fladgate specialises in advice to non-resident Indians and high-net-worth Indian individuals who are promoters and controlling shareholders of substantial companies in India on personal wealth management matters, corporate, financial and other legal needs. The firm also helps Indian clients navigate corporate, commercial and real estate transactions and related disputes. Fladgate strengthened its India team with the appointment of funds, finance and regulatory associate Niharika Chaturvedi last September, and dispute resolution partner Milan Kapadia earlier this year.

When Tata Technologies acquired Wolfsburg-based engineering firm ES-Tec Group for EUR75 million (USD85.5 million), it enlisted Hengeler Mueller’s support. The firm also negotiated a cross-border agreement for the sharing of proprietary technology in the health and fitness sector with a partner in India. The firm added further expertise to its India desk capabilities this year with the hiring of partners Matthias Rothkopf, who brings experience in IP, antitrust and technology-related matters, and Theresa Lauterbach, with broad experience in corporate law and M&A.

Irwin Mitchell assists Indian investors on financial services and corporate work through its 24 offices across the UK. The firm: advised Indian travel tech company Rategain on its acquisition financing of a US business; acted for Indian media tech company Qube Cinema on its purchase of UK business assets out of administration; and assisted multiple offshore branches of Indian public sector banks with loan facilities to various public sector renewable and non-renewable energy companies including Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and REC.

Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter “provides a unique advantage of India business sense with US legal landscape and strategies,” says Vimal Dangri, general counsel at Mastek. In one notable achievement, the firm advised Illinois Institute of Technology in securing formal approval from India’s University Grants Commission to establish a new degree-granting campus in Mumbai. The milestone made Illinois Tech the first American university authorised to open a campus in India.

London-based disputes and insolvency law boutique Keidan Harrison has nurtured relationships with leading Indian law firms and India-focused barristers in London to provide holistic advice on contentious matters with an Indian nexus. “Keidan Harrison offers the same quality standard as any big international law firm,” says Nitish Jain, a partner at Trilegal, who instructed the firm for a banking dispute before an English commercial court involving an Indian client with a foreign subsidiary. “Availability is not an issue, and they are very cost-efficient.”

LCA Studio Legale offers Indian clients guidance on strategic investments in Italy, particularly in highly regulated and innovation-driven sectors such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, manufacturing and logistics. It also advises Italian businesses on their operations in India. “What sets them apart is a genuinely rare business-oriented mindset,” says Piero Guizzetti, the managing partner at VPC India. In addition to legal parameters, “they engage with the commercial logic of a transaction, identifying creative, practical solutions”.

PDLegal is steadily building its presence across Asia, bringing Indian clients access to an increasingly regional legal platform for conflict resolution and investment opportunities. Last year, it formed an association with Malaysian boutique firm Tan Siew & Lee, and this year it opened an office in Sydney under the PDLegal Australia banner. “They navigate cross-border matters involving Indian promoters, counterparties or assets with a nuanced and solutions-oriented approach,” says Sonali Mehta, an associate partner at Desai & Diwanji.