Nishith Desai Associates

India

Analysis

Overview

Nishith Desai Associates prides itself as being a domestic firm with an international presence. It has market-leading labour and employment, media and entertainment, private equity, regulatory, tax, and technology and telecommunications practices. This year it moves up into the top tier for its pharmaceuticals and life sciences prowess. In the frontier space of technology, the firm has been a pioneer and cultivated a leading presence in privacy and data protection, crypto-assets and blockchain, payments, media, education, life sciences, and gaming and gambling. Vikram Shroff heads the labour and employment practice, while Vaibhav Parikh and Nishchal Joshipura are key partners for technology and private equity, respectively. The team’s corporate team was bolstered by the arrivals of team leads Diksha Maheshwari and Ayushi Pandey, who joined from Trilegal and JSA, respectively.  

Client feedback 

The dispute involved cryptocurrency and an M&A transaction, and they brought their expertise in those areas, as well as their excellent experience in international arbitration, to bear very well on behalf of the client. They were detail-oriented while also focusing on the broader strategic aspects of the case. They understood the client's business objectives and focused on achieving those objectives. – Practice area 

Attention to detail and client-centric.Dispute resolution 

Nishith Desai provides practical advice and is very responsive.Infrastructure 

Strong subject knowledge, provides market updates and lawyers have polite behaviour. Investment funds 

Positive and helpful attitude, strong domain experience, wide business experience, and good at hand- holding. – Private equity 

We have found NDA to have a very practical and solution-oriented approach towards any legal issue. This has enabled us to take informed decisions on matters falling under grey areas of law.Regulatory 

Milind Antani 

In-depth knowledge of the pharma industry both in theory as well as in the practical application of law. He is very approachable. 

Vyapak Desai 

Very smart with excellent strategic sense and insight. 

Prakhar Dua 

Prakhar is smart, practical and available. 

Nandini Pathak 

We appreciate her subject knowledge, communication and team handling. 

“She has vast knowledge and experience in the sector. We appreciate her willingness to provide suggestions and recommendations, and be a support. 

Ratnadeep Roychowdhury 

Puts clients first. Takes an independent fresh view of the situation. Has conviction.

Private equity

Work highlights 

Advised Government of Singapore Investment Corporation on legal, regulatory and tax aspects of its investment in Asia Healthcare Holdings.  

Represented Westbridge AIF on its investment in Propertyshare Online Platform which houses an online real estate investment platform 

Dispute resolution

Work highlights 

Represented Allscripts India in relation to criminal matters 

Advised WazirX in a show cause notice issued by the Enforcement Directorate before the Delhi High Court 

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights 

Represented Goldman Sachs in the entire restructuring and inbound merger of Pepperfry group into Pepperfry India.  

Advised AIG on the sale of Actis’s renewable energy platform to Shell. 

Pharmaceuticals and life sciences

Work highlights 

Advised a household name MNC in a high stakes litigation concerning the Johnson & Johnson baby powder 

Provided ongoing regulatory advice and legal assistance to a biotechnology company involved in developing revolutionary treatment and anti-venoms for snake bite.

Technology and telecommunications

Work highlights 

Advised the largest global and Indian crypto-asset businesses, such as FTX, WazirX, CoinDCX, ZebPay, Unocoin and others, on Indian law regulatory advice, in particular foreign exchange control laws, securities laws, consumer protection laws and advertising laws 

Advised various traditional and new-age businesses on commercialising their assets as NFTs as well as on the creation and structure of an NFT marketplace.