AZB & Partners is renowned as one of the top full-service law firms in India, with leading practices across every category, including banking, capital markets, corporate and M&A, and private equity. This year, the firm ascends one tier in four tables, showcasing the firm’s continued push for excellence and investment in all areas: aviation, energy, infrastructure and intellectual property.
The firm’s sterling reputation for M&A and private equity makes it a first port of call for heavyweight international and domestic clients hoping to secure its services for big-ticket deals. The firm comprises over 90 partners across six pan-India locations. Founding partners Zia Mody, Ajay Bahl and Bahram Vakil are legends in the market for their corporate and finance specialties. Corporate partners Anil Kasturi and Ashwath Rau are two of the most prominent M&A and private equity lawyers in the country.
Client feedback
“Their understanding of the client's business is outstanding and this is their USP.” – Competition/antitrust
“Responsive, clear communicators and excellent strategic inputs.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are very responsive, accurate, business-oriented and committed.” – Corporate and M&A
“Experts in Indian law.” – Corporate and M&A
“Client-focused, highly committed and thorough in their advice.” – Corporate and M&A
“They are very responsive and provide sound, thorough legal advice. They are used to working with American companies who have subsidiaries in India.” – Labour and employment
“Quick response time, bespoke advice and excellent depth of professionals.” – Private equity
“Strong written work product that was timely delivered and comprehensive.” – Regulatory
Bharat Budolia
“He is client-friendly and takes time and effort to do everything that can give comfort and confidence to the client. His knowledge on the subject and industry is remarkable.”
Srinath Dasari
“Very responsive and results oriented. He takes the lead when necessary and has very good knowledge of the market practice.”
Darshika Kothari
“Highly experienced and deeply committed.”
Aditya Periwal
“Very responsive and client-focused.”
Jatinder Singh Saluja
“He is very responsive and helpful.”
Work highlights
Advised BTS Investments in relation to the joint venture between Star India, Reliance Industries and Viacom18 Media.
Represented Tiger on its eight investments in Indian companies, ranging from $6 million to $3 billion.
Advised KKR on its 100% acquisition in CIRCOR.
Acted for Abu Dhabi Investment Authority on the acquisition of a stake in Lenskart Solutions.
Key clients
Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions, Fairfax India Holdings, Naspers Ventures, Plutus Wealth Management, Sonata Finance, TPG Capital.
Work highlights
Successfully represented HSBC PI Holdings Mauritius in ‘first of its kind’ enforcement proceedings and contempt proceedings which laid down the law on bias against arbitrators in enforcement of a foreign award in India, and arbitrability and fraud.
Represented Google in successfully defending 14 suits, and subsequently 13 appeals before the Madras High Court, filed by various app developers who challenged the terms of payment and service fee charged by Google on its Play Store.
Acted for the Singapore International Arbitration Centre in proceedings before the Supreme Court of India which dealt with critical issues of arbitration law such as the scope of judicial intervention and the doctrine of severability.
Work highlights
Advised HDFC on its landmark amalgamation with HDFC Investments, HDFC Holdings and HDFC Bank.
Represented Tata Sons on preparing and filing the notification with the CCI and subsequently securing an unconditional approval from the CCI for acquisition by Air India of 100% shareholding in Air Asia India.
Acted for API Holdings, Citibank and Citicorp Finance on Citibank’s sale of its India consumer business to Axis Bank.
Key clients
Avaada Ventures, KKR, Qatar Investment Authority, SATS Investments, Siemens Energy Holding, TA Associates.
Work highlights
Acted for TCS on its buyback of equity shares on a proportionate basis, by way of the tender offer route, through the stock exchange mechanism.
Assisted the book running lead managers, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets, and IIFL Securities on their qualified institutional placement of equity shares by Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company.
Advised Bharti Hexacom on its IPO, one of the largest in the telecoms sector.
Key clients
Axis Capital, Cairnhill CGPE, FILA, ICICI Securities, Nuvama Wealth Management.
Work highlights
Advised Google on its abuse of dominance investigations regarding Android smartphones.
Represented Tata Sons on preparing and filing the notification with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and subsequently securing an unconditional approval from the CCI for acquisition by Air India of 100% shareholding in Air Asia India.
Work highlights
Advised HDFC Capital Advisors and one of its funds in connection with setting up a debt-funded platform for the development and construction of real estate projects in south India with TVS Emerald Realty, the real estate vertical of TVS Motor.
Acted for lenders MUFG Bank, DBS Bank, CTBC Bank and Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank on their syndicated $750 million social loan facility to HDFC for on-lending and sub-lending affordable housing loans in India, under HDFC’s social financing framework.
Key clients
Air India, Kotak Alternate Asset Managers, National Asset Reconstruction Company, Trafigura Group.
