Full-service firm DSK Legal has a strong reputation in the market for quality work with pockets of top-tier offerings in several areas. With offices in key cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, the firm has established a strong national presence, serving a diverse client base that includes multinational corporations, financial institutions and startups.
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 sizable M&A deals. The firm’s specialised media and entertainment department is also 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.
The firm is reputed for its deep understanding of the Indian regulatory landscape and its ability to navigate complex transactions and disputes across a plethora of sectors. DSK Legal excels in providing tailored legal solutions that align with clients' strategic objectives, ensuring compliance while maximising business opportunities. Its strong reputation in the banking and financial services sector is complemented by a robust practice in competition.
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. Other key names include corporate partners Anjan Dasgupta, Aparajit Bhattacharya and Ajay Shaw, and competition specialists Rishi Anand and Kanika Nayar. Srinivas BR, Harvinder Singh, Nakul Batra, Jayesh Kothari and Mayank Mehta are other names to note.
In the past year, DSK Legal has made several noteworthy updates. The firm has strengthened its team by adding skilled partners and associates, enhancing its capabilities across various sectors. This includes the introduction of new initiatives aimed at expanding its service offerings, particularly in emerging sectors like renewable energy and technology. The firm has also secured several significant clients, reflecting its growing influence and reputation in the legal market.
Client feedback
"DSK is prompt in their revert and they give practical and business-friendly solutions. They understand the commercial nuances involved in a transaction and are able to balance the legal and commercial aspects of funding." – Banking and finance
"The firm was great." – Banking and finance
"The team was full of experienced, solution-oriented professionals." – Banking and finance
"The lawyers were responsive, attentive to details and understood our needs." – Banking and finance
"They are good with advising and finding solutions to issues. They pay attention to details and are proactive." – Capital markets
"DSK Legal has an extremely responsive set of lawyers who are not only always available but also provide quality advice which is to the point and commercially sound. We have interacted a lot with Kanika Nayar, who is very approachable, has a tremendous amount of knowledge of the subject and provides very sound and clear advice." – Competition/antitrust
"Very customer oriented." – Construction
"They are very diligent in what they do. I have had very positive experiences working with Siddharth [Suresh] in particular." – Corporate and M&A
"Great sector knowledge, client attention and professional approach." – Corporate and M&A
"They are responsive and provide practical advice." – Corporate and M&A
"They are very approachable, have a good command of the subject, and provided valuable insights on our project and the overall data. " – Dispute resolution
"Intelligent, approachable, sincere, and assertive team." – Dispute resolution
"The lawyers advised not only on the legal analysis but also on negotiation strategy from a practical viewpoint." – Dispute resolution
"They are very good." – Labour and employment
"Great skill and experience across various sectors, the best media practice in the industry." – Media
and entertainment
"Thorough work and in-depth knowledge." – Private client
"Excellent feedback." – Real estate
"Gave excellent advice from the financial aspect regarding debentures underwriting, advice on real estate business, contract negotiations, and negotiations for contract conclusion." – Real estate
Rishi Anand
"Excellent relationship management."
"We had excellent support and an amazing partner in Rishi Anand."
Abhishek Singh Baghel
"Good team building and speed of reaction."
"Very responsible and practical."
Aparajit Bhattacharya
"Great sector knowledge."
Anjan Dasgupta
"Great sector knowledge."
Parag Kabadi
"On the ball and knows what to do."
Sagar Kadam
"Very cooperative with problem-solving skills."
Roochi Loona
"She is great."
Chandrima Mitra
"Extremely experienced, very intelligent and great understanding of the law as well as media business."
Saloni Mody
"Accurate advice based on deep knowledge and experience, and executed contract negotiations that fully supported our company."
Kanika Nayar
"She is well read on antitrust laws and precedents on competition matters."
Ashish Pahariya
"Articulate and solution oriented."
"Responsive, technically proficient and understands client’s needs."
Dinesh Pardasani
"Dinesh exemplifies excellence in the legal sphere through unparalleled expertise and a profound understanding of intricate legal frameworks. Known for his accessibility and approachability, he has cultivated a reputation for being a trusted advisor to us. His strategic brilliance is reflected in meticulously crafted legal approaches that anticipate challenges and leverage opportunities, ensuring the most favorable outcomes."
Ajay Shaw
"Sound advice and quick implementation."
Mahip Singh
"Good team leader."
Payal Sinha
"Payal is adept at what she does. She is also aware of all the latest updates in the field of RERA/finance laws. She has years of good experience with many deals and can provide quick solutions to any issues."
Siddharth Suresh
"Transparent, diligent and consistent."
Akanksha Tiwary
"She is very good."
Pranav Vyas
"He is sharp, intelligent, hardworking and always approachable."
Work highlights
Represented an HDFC construction fund in arbitration proceedings concerning a substantial investment in a development project.
Acted for a local developer in filing arbitration proceedings related to a development agreement.
Work highlights
Represented DBI Capital Markets & Securities in connection with the drafting and submission of a resolution plan for the corporate insolvency resolution process of Sinnar Thermal Power.
Advised Omkara Assets Reconstruction Private in initiating the corporate insolvency resolution process against Sumer Radius Realty.
Key clients
MTC Business, Piramal Capital and Housing Finance, Prestige Estates Products, UPL
Work highlights
Advised global paint manufacturer in an appeal against the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) order related to alleged pressure from Asian Paints on dealers to avoid dealing with its products. This case is significant as it addresses market access restrictions in the paints sector.
Assisted a global logistics company in an ongoing antitrust investigation by the CCI regarding alleged collusion in the courier, express, and parcel industry. This investigation is notable as it examines key competitive practices within the sector for the first time.
Work highlights
Advised a domestic real estate developer in the sale of land at Vakola, Mumbai, to ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company.
Guided an HDFC construction fund on its investment of Re11.5 billion in Provident Housing through secured, non-convertible debentures.
Work highlights
Advised an Indian film company as production counsel and was involved in the legal clearance of scripts for multiple films.
Advised an entertainment studio as production and revenue counsel for various films and provided legal clearance on several scripts.
Key clients
Amitabh Bachchan, India Today Group, Matrix Entertainment, Mumbai City FC, Producers Guild of India, Salman Khan Ventures, Uniworld
Work highlights
Advised Arvind SmartSpaces in acquiring development rights for a project at Khopoli, Maharashtra. The acquisition involves land measuring 92 acres, with a projected revenue potential of Re15 billion.
Assisted Godrej Properties in acquiring a land parcel of approximately 28 acres for a residential project near Bangalore.
Key clients
Apollo Asia, Godrej Properties, HDFC Capital, ICICI Prudential, Piramal Group, Prestige Group, Shapoorji Pallonji Group
Work highlights
Acted for a leading Indian finance company on the acquisition of certain loans against property, facilitating the restructuring of outstanding debts totalling Re45 billion ($515 million).
Assisted a domestic renewable energy player in securing a $150 million ECB facility from BNP Paribas and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, ensuring compliance with Indian laws.
Key clients
Arka Fincap, Axis Finance, Canara Bank, Chattargarh Renewable Energy, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Union Bank of India
