Baker McKenzie Names Mini Menon VandePol As Chair Of Global India Practice

Baker McKenzie Names Mini Menon vandePol as Chair of Global India Practice

Baker McKenzie has announced the appointment of Mini Menon vandePol as the new Chair of the Firm’s Global India Practice, succeeding Ashok Lalwani, who has held the role for 12 years. Ashok will continue to serve on the India practice’s Steering Committee and will relocate to the Firm’s Dallas office in 2025, where he will focus on supporting clients with US-India opportunities and strengthening the US-India practice.

Mini, born in India and raised in Australia, joined Baker McKenzie’s Melbourne office in 1998 before relocating to Hong Kong in 2014. She is currently the Asia Pacific Head of Baker McKenzie's Investigations, Compliance & Ethics Group and has been a member of the

India Practice Group Steering Committee since 2018. Mini has played a pivotal role in driving the Firm’s India strategy, advising multinational and Indian clients on their expansion initiatives. As Chair, she will continue to lead this work and steer the Firm’s efforts in anticipation of India’s legal market liberalization.

Peerapan Tungsuwan, Global Executive Committee Member with responsibility for India, commented: “Baker McKenzie has a long history of working on India-related matters, and Mini has been at the forefront of helping our global clients achieve their strategic objectives. She is the perfect fit to continue to drive our India practice forward, alongside our Steering Committee members and India-focused lawyers, as we prepare to open an office in India as soon as we are permitted to. Huge congratulations to Mini on this very well-deserved appointment. I would also like to thank Ashok for his terrific leadership of this group over the years and ongoing commitment to the practice.”

Mini shared her excitement about the appointment: “I am very excited to take on the leadership of our Global India Practice and feel privileged to contribute to India’s dynamic and exciting economic vision. India’s fast-growing economy, expansive and young workforce, aspirational consumer base, and increasing relevance in global supply chains have accelerated India’s economic development and foreign direct investment. Bringing global best practices and experience will be integral in supporting our international and domestic clients to leverage these trends and grow their businesses.”

Ashok Lalwani added: “It has been a huge honor to lead our Global India Practice over the past 12 years. I’m now excited to further develop my India practice in the US and to capitalize on the US-India corridor, which presents a great opportunity for our clients and our Firm. Mini is a highly regarded lawyer, colleague and friend and will do an excellent job as the next Chair of our India practice.” Baker McKenzie’s Global India Practice is one of the largest among international law firms, with more than 300 lawyers across over 70 offices working on India-related matters.

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