Full-service firm DSK Legal has enjoyed the fruits of its expansion last summer, climbing up in the rankings across a number of areas such as capital markets, IP and pharmaceuticals and life sciences. After the seismic shift of adding more than 60 new lawyers, most from Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, the firm continued to build out its teams. It welcomed corporate and finance specialists Srinivas BR, Siddharth Suresh and Karan Ajitsaria from Dua Associates. M&A expert Kunal Mehra, and disputes partners Prashant Mishra, Prashant Pakhiddey and Saleem Hasan Ansari, followed former colleagues over from Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, while R&I consultant Sanjeev Pandey joined from the State Bank of India.
Under the guidance of top-flight real estate partner Sajit Suvarna, the firm’s real estate offering is regarded as one of the strongest in Mumbai. With an added capacity on the corporate side from recent additions, the firm posted a strong showing by closing over 50 sizeable M&A deals. The firm’s specialised media and entertainment department is well received by the market. It boasts many A-list Bollywood film stars as clients, along with local and international media houses and platforms like Disney and Star India. Key contact and managing partner Anand Desai is a venerable figure in the legal industry for banking and finance, corporate and M&A, disputes, and media and entertainment. Deputy managing partner Suvarna is a banking and real estate specialist.
Client feedback
“Prompt responses.” – Banking and finance
“Professional service, timely deliverables and focused approach.” – Corporate and M&A
“Lawyers are process driven, courteous and knowledgeable.” – Corporate and M&A
“The team had a pragmatic approach, short response times and was in general very supportive.” – Corporate and M&A
“They took a resolution approach.” – Dispute resolution
“Lawyers have a thorough understanding of the matter, diligence and responsiveness. They take off the client the worries of what needs to be done in the matter.” – Dispute resolution
“They provide speedy, to-the-point advice and a willingness to clarify all issues asked. They are very knowledgeable on Indian labour laws and give practical advice that works.” – Labour and employment
“They are aware of recent changes and help close issues without unnecessary technicalities” – Media and entertainment
Rishi Anand
“He is approachable.”
Roochi Loona
“Prompt responses and good working knowledge of the law.”
Gaurav Mistry
“Knowledgeable, friendly and professional.”
Vikrant Singh Negi
“Always prepared and proactive with solutions.”
Dinesh Pardasani
“He is very diligent, accessible and hard-working for the task assigned.”
Ajay Shaw
“He takes a focused and balanced approach.”
Suyash Srivatava
“Sharpness in thought, and clarity and speed in advice.
Represented Essilor in all aspects of the litigation commenced by one of the client’s wholesale vendors alleging that the client and its employees were over invoicing him by using forged documents, delivery receipts, ledger entries, etc.
Key clients
Bharti International, Hitachi Rail STS India, Larsen & Toubro, Sterlite Technologies.
Work highlights
Represented Imagicaaworld Entertainment in relation to the resolution plan submitted by Malpani Parks Indore.
Key clients
MTC Business, Prestige Estates Products, UPL, Steel Strips Wheels.
Work highlights
Advised ReNew Power Private on its joint venture with Mitsui & Co. This project is the first of this kind of round-the-clock project in India.
Represented Kotak Investment Advisors on its $500 million investment in Kotak India Commercial Real Estate Fund IFSC.
Key clients
Bharat Innovation Fund, Neuberger Berman, Paine Schwartz Partners, PSA India Intermodal, SBI Life Insurance Company.
Work highlights
Advised National Investment Infrastructure Fund and Athaang Infrastructure in relation to its loan to Kashi Tollway.
Key clients
Arka Fincap, Canara Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Union Bank of India.
Work highlights
Successfully represented Salman Khan in a transfer petition case in relation to deer hunting.
Assisted Allu Arjun on his brand endorsement deals with Coca-Cola, Astral Pipes and Redbus.
Key clients
India Today Group, Matrix Entertainment, Mumbai City FC, Producers Guild of India, Qyou Media, Uniworld
Work highlights
Advised TPG-backed Quality Care India in relation to the acquisition of various health sector companies.
Acted for HealthQuad Fund II in relation to its primary and secondary investment in the Series A funding round of GoApptiv Private.
Work highlights
Advised MO Alternate Investment Advisors and Motilal Oswal Home Finance on their debt investment in Atva Real Estate Developers and Skyscape Developers.
Key clients
Apollo Asia, Godrej Properties, HDFC Capital, ICICI Prudential, Piramal Group, Prestige Group, Shapoorji Pallonji Group.
