Legal Era Celebrates Top Cross-Border (India Desk) Lawyers for their Legal Finesse & Excellence

LEGAL ERA CELEBRATES TOP CROSS-BORDER (INDIA DESK) LAWYERS FOR THEIR LEGAL FINESSE & EXCELLENCE

Have cross-border deals and transactions become harder than they used to be? Especially given the rapidly changing legal landscape across the globe over the past two years? Has the subject matter of disputes and matters before courts become complex? Especially considering that digital tools and digital mediums now constitute the heart of these matters? Is the law keeping pace with the growth of technology and its consequent impact on cross-border matters? Especially when tech users are not only invisible but also nearly unidentifiable across the globe?

If so, don't we agree that it's time we recognize those who have been key players in the field of cross-border legal practice?

Legal Era plugged this gap on 4 February 2022. In a glittering high-profile virtual awards' ceremony attended by global icons and stalwarts across time zones, Legal Era proudly hosted and marked their Global Achievers Awards 2022 "Recognizing Cross-Border (India Desk) Lawyers for their Legal Finesse, Innovation & Accomplishments." This was an occasion to celebrate legal finesse, innovation, and accomplishments of the top Cross Border (India Desk) Lawyers from Global Firms who lead and assist all the inbound and outbound legal work while working with Indian clients in Indian geographies.

Legal Era Global Legal Media Group, a Think Tank of Global Experts, Lawyers & Law Firms has diversified into a mega global think tank of expert professionals in the field of business and law. It has been anticipating the needs of the legal community and empowering them with tools to succeed in these rapidly-changing times. The brand plays a leading role in thought leadership and policy debates by being the global voice of the legal fraternity.

Well connected with more than 75,000+ professionals, subscribers & members and with an international presence in Singapore, South Africa, the Middle East, the UK, and the US, Legal Era's vast array of slick services and solutions makes it the only brand serving the legal community with a comprehensive suite of content offerings and services in all mediums.

Well, Legal Era has done it again – nodding their heads and acknowledging the global icons who played a key role in transforming the legal landscape as cross-border lawyers. The cross-border legal professionals seated at the Indian Desk and who are assisting in the inbound and outbound legal work while they work with the Indian clients have been playing a pivotal role.

Today, every MNC has a South Asia business that requires extremely localized hand-holding at every legal touchpoint during their operations. No wonder every global law firm today has a cross-border lawyer that focuses on meeting these specific business needs rooted in emerging markets.

And Legal Era is conscious of the fast-growing need for both inbound and outbound legal assistance in emerging markets and equally conscious of the need to recognize the faces delivering such unique skill-sets and high-value assistance rendered over multi-jurisdictional matters. 

The Legal Era team conducted extensive and exhaustive research that assessed the leading Cross-Border Lawyers from Global Firms and rewarded the deserving ones, rightfully. Based on review & data, the team shared the information with a panel of judges, an accomplished and independent fleet of stalwarts of the legal industry, and multi-jurisdictional matters experts, who thoroughly examined and churned out unbiased ranks. Out of the umpteen nominations received, 150 cross border lawyers were shortlisted and from those, 30 winners were finalized - the most competent and credible Cross-Border Lawyers from Global Law Firms who have been making an exceptional contribution to their firms, the legal industry, and the world of business and law, across continents. The Awards' Categories included diverse practice areas such as Corporate, law, M&A, capital market, security, dispute resolution, arbitration etc. 

The event began with an earnest welcome address by Aakriti Raizada, Founder, Legal Era, well known for her vision to create One Voice One Community for knowledge-sharing across the Global Business - Legal Industry. Driven by unflinching commitment to create opportunities and showcase the stellar talent of the country, Ms. Aakriti epitomized the uniqueness of the awards as she invited a huge round of applause for each one of the finalists for navigating the unchartered waters of the global pandemic and carving a niche for themselves as Cross-Border (India Desk) Lawyers. 

Especially noting the significant role these lawyers played in placing India on the global map as a favored nation for investments and galvanizing our economic growth, she made a reference to Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget Speech that highlighted the Government of India's strong commitment to 'minimum government & maximum governance', trust in the public, and ease of doing business. 

In recent years, over 25,000 compliances have been reduced and 1486 Union laws have been repealed. India is growing at an accelerated pace and people are undertaking multiple financial transactions…There has been a phenomenal increase in transactions in virtual digital assets. Cross-border insolvency too occupied a specific spot in the Annual Financial Statement.

After Aakriti Raizada's emphatic address, Dr. Lalit Bhasin, President, Society of Indian Law Firms, addressed the international gathering with the key message - Legal professionals should be integrated into a global legal profession in an era of cross-border economies.

"There should be no borders for legal practice." 

He made a fervent case for the need for Indian and foreign lawyers to work together to meet the goals of their respective clients. 

"There has to be reciprocity between legal professionals throughout the world." Dr. Bhasin highlighted that the doors were already open for mutual cooperation in the form of exchange of technology, knowledge, and advice. Indian lawyers can advise foreign clients and vice versa. That was an urgency. He made a plea that the government should formalize the entry of foreign lawyers into India. They must regulate the entry. But remove the artificial barriers. Our law firms can handle any type of work that comes with all kinds of specializations. "The Indian legal profession is second to none. We have very eminent in-house General Counsels. And external counsels. SILF and BAI has recommended to the GOI that they should follow the Singapore Model of allowing foreign lawyers to come and practice in the country." 

In that context, Dr. Bhasin highlighted that the Legal Era Global Achievers Awards was an extremely critical occasion to recognize lawyers delivering unique skill-sets and high-value assistance rendered over multi-jurisdictional matters. 

The esteemed presenters who shared the screen with Dr. Bhasin for the first half of the high-profile awards' evening were Vineet Vij, Group General Counsel, Tech Mahindra; Ameet Naik, Managing Partner at Naik Naik & Co; and Shahnaz Ahmad - Managing Director, Legal, Accenture.

Vineet Vij, Group General Counsel, Tech Mahindra expressed deep pleasure for having the opportunity to honour the stupendous efforts of the very best lawyers we have in today's times who have not only made a significant mark for themselves at a global level but have also played a role in positioning India as one of the preferred nations for cross border investments. "They can be surely called the flagbearers for India Inc. at the global level supporting end to end with multi-jurisdictional legal knowledge and procedural mastery."

Explaining their increasing relevance today, Vineet Vij said: "While the role of cross-border lawyers had attained prominence in the last century with globalisation, but more so, their role has become pivotal with the onset of the pandemic. With recent changes in the digital world, new age structures like AI, blockchain, we are witnessing a truly seamless and borderless world with the ever increasing need to have the right legal counsel help us in our business engagements at the global level. Given the complex regulatory environment and regimen in India - right from FDI, project financing, M&As, data protection, anti-trust, IPRs, and multi-fold compliance requirements - the expectations from lawyers who partner and guide through cross-border transactions goes up multi-fold. And it really takes a lot of experience, unique skill sets, high value multi-jurisdictional assistance and support from the very best."

Adding to Dr. Lalit Bhasin's plea on integration of the legal community globally, Mr. Vij seconded his opinion, "I've looked at multiple trans-border transactions as existing in over 50 countries and sometimes working with a pool of law firms for the same transaction. And I can tell you, the lawyers here are no less good than the lawyers anywhere else! There are just some finer points that we may not be equipped with sitting here in India. So, the collaboration works really well. We should formalize with some form of regulation. We bring that value at low cost and yet at a high quality."

Ameet Naik, Managing Partner, Naik Naik & Co resonated with Vineet Vij and Dr. Lalit Bhasin on the economies being global and the lawyering community becoming one. He affirmed, "You must see that the legal community is developing. The Indian lawyering is rubbing off everywhere! India has become so important in lawyering across the globe. You are seeing a legal community developing and it's great to see an India focus. All the India desks are doing very well and are extremely busy. The budget on cross-border insolvency is very interesting and is a step in the right direction based on the Model Law. We are seeing healthy cross-border work - whether it's Singapore, Tokyo, Dubai… And international commercial arbitration. 40% of SIAC arbitrations are of Indian origin. And that is a great indication of where our litigation is going let alone transactions' work. 

And yes, integration is key. We will follow the Singapore model. Sitting on Zoom today, we are dialling into hearings there. Friends from Singapore are dialling into the Indian Supreme Court hearings. It is ever so increasing. One great takeaway is that today our colleagues are participating in hearings here! And in that context, events like these that recognize people participate in the development of India and who put India on the global map is very important."

Shahnaz Ahmad, Managing Director, Legal, Accenture encouraged the awardees and extended much congratulations to them. She thanked Legal Era for organizing such a wonderful event and acknowledged, "Legal Era is one of the most coveted in the industry and during these testing times organizing such an event and recognizing the efforts of competent lawyers stands as testimony to the team's hard work and diligence."

The first set of Legal Era Global Achievers 2022 awardees not only received their coveted recognition but also shared their elation, the prime challenges they faced during the pandemic, and their strategy on cross-border practice for the years ahead.

The winners of the Legal Era Global Achievers Awards 2022 exhibited an applause-worthy drive to explore and excel in a niche space unconfined to specific practice areas. They have led the way for many other young lawyers to take the path less trodden. And undoubtedly, their contribution to making India a business-friendly destination for businesses worldwide was equally worth applause.

Dr. Lalit Bhasin closed the evening with his succinct thoughts summarized the crux and relevance of the Global Achievers Awards,

"These are very unique awards as they are being given to those cross-border lawyers who head the India-focused practice of the global law firms - so it appears as if we are honouring ourselves.

The awardees have at some point of time been an integral part of the Indian legal profession. At least they've done their legal education in India, for some years they practiced their legal profession in India, and then they went to foreign jurisdictions where again they made their presence felt by being a part of the India desk so that the commitment to remain India-focused was always there.

So, these awards recognize the India lawyers and the foreign lawyers who have contributed significantly to the economic development of the jurisdictions for which they practiced and also the development of India's economy by providing legal support to the M&As, to the IPOs etc. Economies cannot achieve the desired result unless they have proper legal support. Even governments need such legal support to draw up the protocols etc. And these awardees have lent their services to enable that at a global level. Thank everyone for providing a service to our country. There is a great potential and opportunities galore ahead to collaborate with each other and make them more meaningful."

Legal Era has set another benchmark at rewarding the Cross-Border (India Desk) Lawyers' fraternity with global visibility and relationship-building opportunities like no other. This platform, the next Edition of the Global Achievers Awards 2023, and the potential for opportunities are only set to grow in the times to come.

Here is the list of the awardees:

Here are the profiles of all the awardees:

A multi-specialist partner in Clyde & Co's Middle East corporate practice, Abhimanyu Jalan has successfully led numerous high-profile and complex mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures and public-private partnerships (including in business sectors relating to power, healthcare, retail and telecommunications).

Experienced in all aspects of acquisition structuring, deal negotiation and documentation, Abhimanyu advises in relation to the full range of transnational acquisitions and other major corporate investment transactions. His clients include private equity entities, financial intermediaries, transnational corporations (both listed and unlisted), family offices and Governments.

Abhi is qualified to practice law in England, India and Ontario (Canada).

Amit Kataria has extensive experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, securities offerings, as well as a broad range of cross-border transactional and corporate advisory matters. He represents corporations, financial sponsors, and their portfolio companies in global mergers and acquisitions across a wide range of industries, including Technology, Financial Services, Biotech, Hospitality, Insurance, Logistics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, and Real Estate.

Amit focuses on advising strategic acquirers and financial investors in connection with cross-border transactions involving the United States of America, Europe, Latin America, China, South Korea, India, the rest of South Asia, and South-ast Asia.

Amit's clients appreciate his "take-no-prisoners approach to negotiations and drafting" and find "working with Amit a fantastic experience." Others say he is "very prompt in anticipating potential roadblocks in a transaction and finds innovative solutions to address such roadblocks."

Amit has practiced in New York, London, Hong Kong, and India.

Ashok Lalwani is the Head of Baker McKenzie's Global India practice and also heads the International Capital Markets practice in Asia Pacific. He has more than 25 years of experience handling Indian transactions – both inbound and outbound – for clients in various industries.

Ashok focuses his practice on public and private international securities offerings and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, including the representation of non-US based companies in transactions involving US federal securities laws. His practice also includes the representation of issuers and underwriters in public and private securities offerings in the US and abroad. Additionally, Ashok has more than 20 years of experience handling Indian transactions – both inbound and outbound – for clients in various industries.

Some of his notable work highlights includes:

• Advised a Middle Eastern fund on investments into Paytm, Byju and Reliance Jio.
• Advising Videocon d2h on its US IPO through a SPAC.
• Advised Jain International Trading B.V. on its successful restructuring, implemented by way of an English law scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the UK Companies Act 2006.
• Advised Kotak Mahindra Capital and Axis Capital on matters relating to US law in connection with the proposed IPO of Mahindra Logistics.
• Advised Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. in connection with its debut USD 200 million global green high yield bond offering managed by Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Barclays, Nomura and Rabobank as bookrunners.
• Advised Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Kotak Mahindra, Axis Capital, Edelweiss Financial and Yes Bank in connection with initial public offering of Coffee Day Enterprises Limited (USD170million).
• Advised SBI Capital, Religare Capital Markets and Yes Bank as Book Running Lead Managers in the USD200 million Regulations rights offering by Kesoram Industries Limited.
• Advised an Indian issuer in connection with issuance of FCCBs.
• Advised Zee Telefilms Limited in connection with the offering of convertible bonds (Regulations).
• Advised ICICI Securities as lead manager on the IPO of Manaksia Ltd, which was listed on the National Stock Exchange and the Mumbai Stock Exchange.
• Advised the issuer, Dish TV Network Limited, in its sale of 11% stake to Apollo Partners through issue of GDRs.
• Advised several Indian companies in connection with acquisition of coal and other mines in Indonesia.
• Advised several multinational companies in connection with acquisitions in India.

Biswajit (Bis) Chatterjee is a corporate partner, and leads the US securities laws practice focused on India, SE Asia and Middle East. Biswajit divides his time between Singapore and Dubai.

Biswajit focuses on equity and debt capital markets, corporate finance, M&A and PE transactions in India, SE Asia and Middle East. He has worked across industries, including technology, fintech, energy, financial services, defense, infrastructure, real estate, retail and hospitality. He also supports Indian corporates and conglomerates growing and/or reorganizing their global operations on corporate commercial matters. Biswajit has also worked on a range of regulatory issues, including economic sanctions, government procurement, white collar investigations, corporate governance and regulatory issues.

Daniel Sharma has extensive experience in advising clients in international disputes.

He regularly acts for private companies as well as governments, governmental institutions and international organizations in a variety of industry sectors, including infrastructure, power, aviation, oil and gas, automotive, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, financial services and manufacturing. Daniel has advised clients with regard to ad hoc and institutional arbitrations in English, French and German, and under different rules, including ICC, SIAC, DIS, CIETAC, UNCITRAL and ICSID. He regularly sits as an arbitrator. Daniel is also highly experienced in antitrust laws and represents clients in private antitrust litigation proceedings.

Daniel is the chair of the firm's global India Group.

Daniel is Rechtsanwalt admitted with Rechtsanwaltskammer Frankfurt am Main Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.