Firms To Watch: Commercial, corporate and M&A

Established in November 2022, Rise Legal’s corporate practice is led by founding partner Ritika Ganju, who has experience advising on M&A, commercial transactions, regulatory and general corporate advisory matters. The team is noted for its expertise across the pharmaceutical, healthcare and automotive sectors.  

Commercial, corporate and M&A in India

AKS Partners

AKS Partners boasts a diverse client roster and advises on a broad range of mandates, including the formation of companies, foreign direct investments, joint ventures, asset acquisitions and shareholders agreements. The team is also well-versed in supporting foreign companies seeking to establish a presence in India. Sonal Kumar Singh jointly leads the team alongside Payal Dayal, who joined from Khaitan & Khaitan in May 2023, the same month in which Anish Jaipuriar departed to Burgeon Law. Singh handles international arbitration and commercial cases, while Dayal advises on cross-border joint ventures and M&A.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sonal Kumar Singh; Payal Dayal


Les références

‘What makes AKS Partners unique is the availability and practicality of the team.’

‘The team at AKS will go above and beyond to make sure that a client’s needs are met and that a practical solution is found for complex issues.’

‘Very knowledgeable and well-organised.’

Principaux clients

Adidas Group


Swartan Universal Private Limited


Bihar Cricket Association


Barco NV


IRCON


ByteLearn Inc


IRCTC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised BARCO NV on the business of manufacturing digital projects and similar tech.
  • Advising the proposed reverse merger of Adidas India Private Limited into Adidas India Marketing Private Limited pursuant to a Scheme of Amalgamation as the applicable laws of India.
  • Advising Swaratan Universal Private Limited on the acquisition of the underlying patents and other intellectual properties.

Sagus Legal

With demonstrable experience across the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, energy, infrastructure, power and automotive sectors, Sagus Legal handles a range of matters concerning private equity and venture capital investments, as well as foreign exchange and securities law-related advisory mandates. Founding and managing partner Shruti Kanodia leads the team and advises on M&A, private equity and banking and finance matters. The team welcomed Neha Sinha from Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India in February 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Shruti Kanodia


Autres avocats clés:

Neha Sinha


Principaux clients

Jindal United Steel Limited


AGT Infrastructure Private Limited


Sunetra Eye Centre Private Limited


Lenskart Solutions Private Limited


Spark Minda Green Mobility Systems Private Limited


Jindal Stainless Limited


Jindal Stainless (Hisar) Limited


Jubilant Pharmova Limited


The Tata Power Company Limited


Jubilant Motorworks Private Limited


Cleartax (Defmacro Software Private Limited)


Minda Corporation Limited


TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited


Jubilant Ingrevia Limited


Jubilant Consumer Private Limited


Jindal Stainless Steelway Limited


Andritz Hydro Private Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising on the merger of Jindal Stainless (Hisar) Limited and four other group companies into Jindal Stainless Limited worth USD 2.8 billion.
  • Assisted Lenskart in acquiring a stake in a technology Company (Quantduo Technologies Private Limited) by way of private placement of convertible preference shares in a pre-series A investment valued INR 160 million.
  • Advised Jubilant Motorworks Pvt. Ltd. in acquiring the entire business undertaking dealing with auto shops, repairs shops, Cars Collective dealerships, etc in Maharashtra and Goa, from its wholly owned subsidiary, Jubilant Sports Cars Private Limited.

AP & Partners

The New Delhi-based corporate team at AP & Partners advises on M&A involving domestic technology companies, in addition to general corporate transactions in contentious situations. Anand Prasad is a key name to note for investment structuring, M&A, private equity transactions and cross-border and domestic financing, while Moksha Bhat counts domestic and foreign companies, venture capital and private equity funds among his key roster of clients. Prasad and Bhat jointly lead the team alongside Arjun Sinha, who is noted for his expertise in the technology and media sectors, and Harshit Anand.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anand Prasad; Moksha Bhat; Arjun Sinha; Harshit Anand


Principaux clients

Koninklijke DSM N.V.


IPL Tech Electric Private Limited


Amishi Consumer Technologies Private Limited (Momsco)


Info Edge India Limited


Sunrise Mentors Private Limited (Coding Ninjas)


Founders of Narang Eye Institute


Founders of Children’s First Mental Health Institute Private Limited


Ather Energy


Ultragenic Research and Technology Pvt Ltd


Coldbrew Tech Private Limited


Shop Circle


Nayan Science and Technology Private Limited


HealthAssure Private Limited


Teacher Tools Private Limited


Devtron Inc


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for DSM on its proposed merger with Firmenich for USD 21 billion to form DSM-Firmenich.
  • Acted for the founders of IPLTech Electric Private Limited on a staggered acquisition of approx. 65.2% shareholding of the company by TI Clean Mobility Private Limited, part of the Tubes India industrial conglomerate for an amount of USD 30 million.
  • Advised Sunrise Mentors Private Limited (Coding Ninjas) on the sale of 100% share capital to Info Edge by way of a staggered acquisition.

Hammurabi & Solomon Partners

Hammurabi & Solomon Partners advises on the full range of public and private M&A, in addition to joint ventures and private equity transactions. Clients include private equity funds, boards of directors and financial advisers. Founding partner Manoj Kumar leads the the New Delhi-based practice, with notable expertise in foreign direct investments, cross-border transactions, negotiations and restructurings. Kumar is ably supported by Shweta Bharti, who handles contentious issues arising out of corporate and commercial matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Manoj Kumar


 


Autres avocats clés:

Shweta Bharti


Principaux clients

FCIL


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising FCIL on joint venture agreements, concession agreements, lease agreements and financial documents.

Krida Legal

Boutique firm Krida Legal stands out for its expertise in the sports, technology and media sectors. Leading the practice is New Delhi-based Vidushpat Singhania, who advises on matters concerning betting and gambling regulations, FEMA, league creation and rights structuring. The team is ably supported by Kushagra Jain, who focuses sports law and sports management, handling matters for gaming companies, high-profile athletes, sports federations, associations and agencies.

Responsables de la pratique:

Vidushpat Singhani


Autres avocats clés:

Pooja Lal; Kushagra Jain


Principaux clients

Amrita Raichand, Actress and Celebrity Chef


All India Gaming Federation


AMPM Fashions Private Limited


Baazi Networks Private Limited


Dusane Infotech Private Limited


E-Sports Federation of India


Golden Gaming International Private Limited


Grid Logic Games Private Limited


Elite Pro Basketball


Extramarks Education Private Limited


HND Poker Private Limited


International Federation of Poker


Lakshyan Academy, Bengaluru; INDIA


Manika Batra, Table Tennis Player for India


MR Poovamma, Indian Olympic Sprinter


Olympic Gold Quest


Sachar Gaming Private Limited


SBN Gaming Network Private Limited


Sportscom


Sportz & Live Entertainment Private Limited


Sugal and Damani Utility Services Private Limited


Skilrock Technologies Private Limited


The IPG Group, Dubai; UAE


Uttar Pradesh State Rifle Association


Vijay Singh, Indian Superbike Champion


Vinesh Phogat, Indian Wrestler


M.R. Poovamma, Indian Olympic Sprinter


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted MOGO with several agreements such as employment, consultant and venue hire and leave and license agreements; as well as resolving various queries pertaining to the interactive MOGO website.
  • Assisted Baazi Networks in their negotiations and in vetting and reviewing the agreements entered into by them with Twid Payment Network.
  • Providing strategic litigation advice to All Indi Gaming Federation, in briefing Senior Counsel Mr. Aryama Sundaram and the review of representations and pleadings on behalf of the AIGF before the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka.

Sarthak Advocates & Solicitors

Sarthak Advocates & Solicitors handles a broad range of matters, including asset acquisitions, stock purchases and mergers of equals, with demonstrable experience in the technology, healthcare, energy and manufacturing sectors. The New Delhi-based team is led by Abhishek Nath Tripathi, who advises on high-value corporate transactions in the energy, infrastructure, power, education, real estate and financial services industries. Senior associate Avantika Shukla is a core team member for corporate/commercial matters whilst Anubhav Tiwari, Apoorva Chandra and Ishmita Walia are also notable.

Responsables de la pratique:

Abhishek Nath Tripath


Autres avocats clés:

Avantika Shukla; Anubhav Tiwari; Apoorva Chandra; Ishmita Walia


Principaux clients

PopcornApps Inc


SunSource


INeuron


Airworks India Private Limited


Reading Pup


Wastelink, led by Matterhorn Projects LLP


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted the India Center Foundation with the transfer of its entire shareholding in its subsidiary company incorporated under the laws of Mauritius, in favour of India Center for the purpose of development and monetisation of endowed property.
  • Assisted SunSource with legal due diligence on a target entity, reviewed and negotiated the transaction documents and provided transaction-related advisory to the client.
  • Advising Airworks India Private Limited in its acquisition by AdaniGroup.
     

Burgeon Law

Burgeon Law’s corporate and commercial practice fields a robust team of practitioners who advise on a range of M&A transactions, corporate finance, and securities law matters. The firm is also particularly active in reviewing and negotiating contracts and agreements, with firm founder Roma Priya jointly leading the team alongside recently promoted partner Abhisshek Singlla, who focuses on private equity and venture capital. Other core team members include newly promoted associate partner and M&A expert Ankit Bhasin and corporate and commercial transactions specialist Anish Jaipuriar who joined the practice from AKS Partners in May 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Roma Priya; Abhishek Singlla; Ankit Bhasin


Autres avocats clés:

Anish Jaipuriar


Principaux clients

Traceost Pvt. Ltd.


Aves Shopping Network Private Limited


Mensa Brands


ComfortGrid Technologies Private Limited


Siply Services Private Limited


North East Health Care Private Limited


Organic Biosystems LLP


Piquant Foodlabs Private Limited


Harbourfront India LLP


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised ComfortGrid Technologies Private Limited in relation to the fund raise, including negotiation and finalisation of the transaction documents, co-ordination with the compliance team and legal teams of the investors.
  • Assisted Piquant Foodlabs Private Limited in its 100% acquisition by Big Spoon Restaurants.
  • Advised North East Health Care Private Limited, a Gurugram-based hospital. The acquisition of W Pratiksha Hospital was made by Marengo Healthcare Private Limited (a joint venture between Samara Capital, Havells Family Office and Godrej Family Office).

Fox & Mandal

Fox & Mandal

Goswami & Nigam LLP

Boutique firm Goswami & Nigam LLP advises clients on a range of corporate and commercial matters, including regulatory advice and compliance, litigation and arbitration proceedings. Head of the commercial litigation and employment law team Nishant Nigam jointly heads the corporate and commercial practice with seasoned attorney Himanshu Goswami, regularly representing clients on the full spectrum of both commercial and labour law-related matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Himanshu Goswami; Nishant Nigam


Principaux clients

Bloom Energy Corporation


SemiCab Inc.


Aurora Retail Pvt Ltd.


Purezza Kids Pvt Ltd.


Konsultera Solutions Pvt Ltd.


KClassy Pvt Ltd.


Dalmia


PeerConnect Knowledge Services LLP


Earth Paws Pvt Ltd.


Geeks At Works Pvt Ltd.


Comviva Pvt Ltd.


Cilio Technologies LLC


TechPerspect Software Pvt Ltd.


Provana, LLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Bloom Energy Corporation, a renewable energy company that offers on-site electric power solutions, in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide array of commercial contracts, including revenue agreements, professional agreements, logistic agreements and non-disclosure agreements.
  • Advised SemiCab Inc., a technology service provider, in its day to day business operations. The firm advised and finalised a diverse range of agreements including shipper and carrier agreements, revenue agreements, transfer pricing agreements, NDA’s and commercial agreements with other businesses.
  • Advised Aurora Retail Pvt Ltd. in drafting and reviewing various manufacturing and distributor agreements, while also providing general corporate advisory services vital to the day-to-day operations of the client’s business, including ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and effective risk management.

Gravitas Legal

Gravitas Legal’s corporate and commercial team notably advises clients on drafting and negotiating contracts and agreements, while also providing legal advisory services to a number of Indian and international corporations on a range of corporate transactions, including M&A and outsourcing. The team is led by founding partner Varij Sharma, whose practice spans inter-corporate borrowings and corporate compliance-related matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Varij Sharma


Principaux clients

Restaurant Brands Asia Limited


Eversub India Private Limited


Biltech Building Elements Limited


Sadipali Solar Private Limited


Brivan Consultants Private Limited


Urvara Krsi Private Limited


Pavni MP Solar Private Limited


Avantha Technologies Limited


Manash Lifestyle Private Limited


1707 Advisors FZ-LLC


Prestige Wines & Spirits Private Limited


Helionext Private Limited


Aristol Private Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Urvara Krsi Private Limited on sale of Carbon Units to an entity based out of Singapore, including drafting of ancillary agreements.

Maheshwari & Co. Advocates & Legal Consultants

Full-service firm Maheshwari & Co. Advocates & Legal Consultants operates across a variety of industries, handling corporate and commercial transactions and litigation proceedings. Managing partner Vipul Maheshwari is a key contact for corporate and commercial litigation and dispute resolution, regularly appearing before the Supreme Court and several High Courts, while corporate practice head Jyotsna Chaturvedi is noted for her broad knowledge of corporate law and transactional advisory matters, including restructuring, M&A and venture capital transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Vipul Maheshwari


Autres avocats clés:

Jyotsna Chaturvedi


Principaux clients

Sondrel (Holdings) PLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Sondrel (Holdings) PLC, a leading global semiconductor designer and supplier delivering customised, ultra-complex, digital ASIC chip solutions, with due diligence of its subsidiaries and regulatory advisory in India, in order to enable the listing of the company on the Stock Exchange.

Stratage Law

Stratage Law’s team is routinely entrusted by funds, multinationals, and Fortune 500 companies on a range of transactions, including joint ventures, restructuring, M&A, shareholder disputes and insolvency matters. Managing partner Darshan Upadhyay is the key contact, regularly advising on exchange control regulations, SEBI and general corporate law. The team also includes founding partners Bhavin Gada, whose broad practice spans investment transactions, dispute management, and governance-related advice, and Shyam Pandya, who is noted for his expertise in fund formation, private equity, and M&A mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

Darshan Upadhyay


Autres avocats clés:

Bhavin Gada; Shyam Pandya


Principaux clients

Safex Chemicals India Ltd


Samara India Advisors Private Limited


Mayfield Fund


Jabsons Food Private Limited


Welspun Group


Marengo Asia Healthcare Private Limited


Motilal Oswal


Nuvama Group


Bharat Insecticides Limited


Impresario Entertainment And Hospitality Private Limited


Xponentia Capital Partners LLP


Bloombay Enterprises LLP


Kan Biosys Pvt Ltd


Insight Cosmetics


HBL Power Systems Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Safex India in 100% acquisition of the issued share capital of Briar Chemicals Limited by Safex UK Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Safex India, from Aurelius Equity opportunities.
  • Advised Marengo Asia Healthcare Private Limited in the acquisition of 100% shareholding of North East Health Care Private Limited.
  • Advised Tube Investments of India (TII) and Premji Invest (through PI Opportunities Fund I Scheme II) in the acquisition of 100% equity capital of Lotus Surgicals from India Medical Consumables Holdings Ltd (a Samara Capital entity) and other shareholders.

Ahlawat & Associates

Ahlawat & Associates’s corporate and commercial team advises clients on M&A, private equity, and venture capital investments, often involving a cross-border element. Foreign direct investments specialist Uday Singh Ahlawat leads the corporate, commercial and transactional practice, regularly assisting both domestic and international clients with inbound and outbound investments, M&A, and joint ventures. Sheena Ogra focuses her capabilities on structuring, drafting, and negotiating private equity transactions including shareholders’ agreements, share subscription agreements, and share purchase agreements; areas in which Shramona Sarkar is also well-versed.

Responsables de la pratique:

Uday Singh Ahlawat; Sheena Ogra


Autres avocats clés:

Shramona Sarkar


Principaux clients

Rooter Sports Technologies Private Limited


Motovolt Mobility Private Limited


Lotus Holdings


Gingerpan Swapcart Private Limited


Intellibusiness Inc


Tamalex International FZE


Shorea Softech Private Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Rooter Sports Technologies Private Limited on its ‘Pre-Series B Investment’ round of USD 16 million, led by Lightbox Ventures III.
  • Advised Lotus Holdings on its strategic investment in Yogicsecret Healthcare Private Limited.

Aretha Legal

Aretha Legal has expertise in drafting, negotiating and finalising transaction documents, including purchase agreements’ shares, while also providing comprehensive assistance in acquisitions and mergers. Founding partners are Nitin Gera, who is well-versed in private equity and M&A transactions, and Ray Vikram Nath, noted for his 20 years of experience in litigation and cross-border transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nitin Gera; Ray Vikram Nath


Principaux clients

Everest Group


SCI Growth Investments


Northern Tools and Gauges Private Limited (NTG)


Brahma Advisors LLC


Honasa Consumer Private Limited


Stellaris Venture Partners India Trust II


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Everest Blowers Private Limited and Everest Blower Systems Private Limited (collectively ‘Everest Group’) in the 100% shareholding acquisition by Ingersoll Rand, a global market leader with a broad range of innovative and mission-critical air, fluid, energy and medical technologies, providing services and solutions to increase industrial productivity and efficiency.
  • Advised SCI Growth Investments IV on the share transfer of K12 Techno Services Private Limited by Sorting Hat Technologies Private Limited (Unacademy) to SCI Growth Investments IV (Sequoia) for a total consideration of INR 112 Crores (approx.)
  • Advised SCI Growth Investments III. Sequoia, through its investment arm SCI Growth Investments III increased its stake in Target – Finova Capital to 40% (approximately). Sequoia purchased shares from angel investors and Target employees for a total consideration of $5m. The round was co-managed by Norwest Capital LLC and Maj Invest Financial Inclusion Fund III.

DMD Advocates

DMD Advocates displays significant strength in advising clients on exit strategies and transactions, is the key contact, having recently handled several key exits for some leading venture capital funds. The practice is spearheaded from the New Delhi office by corporate and cross-border transactions specialist Rashi Dhir, who is regularly engaged by Fortune 500 companies and private equity funds for his knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and fund structuring and formations. M&A expert Pallavi Puri is also recommended. Sumit Sinha  has left the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rashi Dhir


Autres avocats clés:

Pallavi Puri; Ayesha Rai


Saga Legal

Saga Legal advises on a range of commercial agreements, spanning joint ventures, licensing agreements, and strategic partnerships. The firm’s corporate practice is led by Sanika Mehra, noted for recently handling complex drafting projects and vetting of RFP’s in the infrastructure and aviation sectors, while Priya Mamgain is well-versed in corporate law, structuring, and IPR laws.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sanika Mehra; Priya Mamgain


Principaux clients

Pep Technologies Pvt. Ltd.


Unscript AI Private Limited


Guardians Ems Private Limited


Talent On Lease Private Limited


Blue Santos Technologies Pvt Ltd


Yamuna International Airport Pvt. Ltd.


Floworks Solutions Pvt. Ltd.


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Yamuna International Airport Private Limited through the whole bidding process, including negotiation after the technical and financial bids. Drafted, vetted, and reviewed various agreements, assisted in land due diligence, preparing procurement policy and other internal SOPs.
  • Advised Pep Technologies Private Limited on compliance related to Legal Metrology and Advertising Standard Council of India and supported with compliance issues relating to advertisement and audits. Provided legal drafts and reviewed and vetted various agreements.
  • Assisted Unscript AI Private Limited throughout the company’s funding round, where over USD 1.25 million were raised. Provided end-to-end legal support in drafting, negotiating, and vetting transaction documents and agreements. Assisted in ROC filing documents and concluding investor-driven due diligence.