With an eye on India, White & Chase hires partner in Singapore

With an eye on India, White & Chase hires partner in Singapore

Corporate lawyer Rahul Guptan switches over from Clifford Chance to bolster White & Case's India team

An American law firm poaches on the staff of a British law firm in Singapore with an eye on the emerging Indian market. That's some global effort, but exactly what has happened. White & Case has hired a corporate lawyer from Clifford Chance in Singapore to bolster its capital markets team and its India country group.

White & Case successfully chased Rahul Guptan and got him on board as a partner from the Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance where he was co-head of its global India group.

Guptan's practice focuses on advising Indian and international companies on capital markets-related matters, from debt and equity deals to M&A, private equity and regulation.

He had spent close to 13 years at Clifford Chance, having joined the Magic Circle firm after being associated with Indian law firm Amarchand Mangaldas for just over nine years.

"We expect to see a continued increase in Indian companies raising capital through cross-border offerings in the next couple of years.," John Vetterli, head of White & Case's global capital markets practice, said.

Nandan Nelivigi, head of White & Case's India country group, hailed Guptan as an experienced and well-known capital markets lawyer who has advised on many market-first capital markets offerings by Indian issuers.

"Rahul's strong, longstanding relationships with key stakeholders in India, Singapore and Hong Kong and his deep understanding of the Indian market make him an excellent addition to our existing capabilities," Nelivigi added.

Guptan is the second lateral hire for White & Case in the Asia Pacific region from Clifford Chance, following the December of debt finance partner Clara Shirota in Tokyo. White & Case had also hired debt finance partner Daniel Abercromby in Hong Kong from US firm Weil Gotshal & Manges in November.

Baldwin Cheng, regional section head for Asia Pacific corporate, finance and restructuring, at White & Case said: "Rahul's arrival demonstrates our continued commitment to growth in Asia Pacific… In addition to his focus on capital markets, Rahul's relationships with the Indian banking, investment and business communities means he will also work closely with our M&A, banking, restructuring and disputes practices in Asia Pacific to grow the services we offer in relation to India."