IndusLaw is a modern full-service firm that is rapidly coming up the ranks as a challenger to the established order of top legacy firms. In total, the pan-India coverage includes offices in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Gurugram. The firm takes pride in its growing prominence among sophisticated clients for its dispute resolution, private equity and TMT work. It specialises in working with investors across the full funding lifecycle and on a variety of funds including sector-specific ones such as technology, life sciences, e-commerce, retail and infrastructure. The key contacts are founding partners Avimukt Dar, Gaurav Dani, Kartik Ganapathy, and Suneeth Katarki.
The biggest news for the firm came in June, when global law firm CMS announced its alliance with IndusLaw. The latter has joined the CMS network, adopting the joint branding of CMS IndusLaw, while remaining an independent entity. This collaboration is set to be fully operational by the end of 2025 and does not constitute a merger, joint venture, or partnership.
This alliance is significant for several reasons. For CMS, it establishes a substantial foothold in the rapidly expanding Indian legal landscape. Conversely, IndusLaw gains the advantage of offering world-class legal solutions that incorporate a global perspective, thereby enhancing its capacity to serve clients looking to scale internationally. Clients of both firms will benefit from an integrated approach to legal services, combining IndusLaw's deep understanding of Indian law with CMS's international expertise across various fields, including corporate transactions, regulatory matters, disputes, capital markets, technology and intellectual property.
The alliance also heralds a new era of international collaboration within the Indian legal market, potentially stimulating further partnerships between Indian and foreign firms and fostering a more competitive and dynamic legal environment. Key benefits include the provision of seamless cross-border services, enabling CMS to deliver coordinated legal solutions for complex international matters. Additionally, IndusLaw's lawyers will support multinational clients of CMS looking to operate in India, while CMS's lawyers in over 45 countries will assist clients seeking to expand from India. This partnership facilitates knowledge sharing and expertise exchange, providing IndusLaw's lawyers with valuable international exposure.
The alliance is driven by the ongoing liberalisation of the Indian legal market, which has become increasingly open to foreign law firms, and by India's robust economic growth, which positions it as a significant player in the global economy. As the fourth-largest economy, projected to become the third-largest by 2027, India presents a burgeoning need for international legal advisers equipped with local insights. Overall, this collaboration positions CMS to capitalise on emerging opportunities in India, enhancing its competitive advantage in the region.
Work highlights
Represented HDFC Bank in ongoing recovery proceedings against Amara Labs Private. The proceedings focus on enforcing creditor rights under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act.
Acted for Edelweiss in recovery proceedings against Silver Land Development Corporation and its guarantors.
Key clients
Ambra Impex, BGR Energy Systems, DBS Bank, Pune Solapur Expressways
Work highlights
Successfully represented Samara Capital in an indirect acquisition of a controlling stake in Agro Tech Foods. This involved filing a Form I notification before the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and securing an unconditional approval.
Provided strategic advice to Penetron in formulating its strategy and filing a reply before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal against an appeal challenging a dismissal order by the CCI regarding allegations of cartelisation.
Work highlights
Advised Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet in a dispute arising from a master service agreement concerning the supply and installation of optical fibre cables for the Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet.
Advised US Technology International arbitration proceedings regarding unpaid dues from a contract with Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet.
Key clients
Digital Collectibles, Juniper Networks, Moove Connected Mobility, New Balance India
Work highlights
Acted for Edelweiss in a landmark financing transaction, involving the restructuring of a term loan facility.
Advised HDFC Bank in ongoing recovery proceedings against Amara Labs, seeking the recovery of approximately $1.5 million.
Acted for Flower Asset Reconstruction Company in an application before the Bombay High Court, seeking to intervene in ongoing execution proceedings against Omkar Realtors & Developers.
