Bangalore-based Counselence boasts deep industry know-how in the TMT sector. It was set up to provide business legal services to corporate clients by two former senior in-house counsel at a major IT company. The firm is full-service with notable specialties in advisory, M&A, and labour and employment within the technology industry. Founding partners Biju Varghese and Padmanabhan Ananth are the key contacts. Varghese is a corporate, disputes and regulatory specialist, while Ananth’s practice focuses on labour, corporate and disputes.
Client feedback
“They are extremely attentive to the client's needs and are quick to provide their expertise and recommendations if needed.” – Intellectual property
“Extremely responsive and works well with clients. They take a pragmatic and collaborative approach with their clients and the counterparties with whom they negotiate.” – Labour and employment
“Recommended for their responsiveness, granularity, extensive evidence searches, ease of access and always maintaining calm, not creating panic.”– Labour and employment
“Quick and detailed resolution, responsiveness and depth of knowledge.” – Labour and employment
“They gathered adequate data from us, made a complete analysis and gave us recommendations. They took our feedback and made amendments in recommendations based on our requirement within the legal framework.” – Labour and employment
“They were well-prepared and had quick turnaround times, which is crucial for emergency arbitrations.” – Labour and employment
“Very professional, providing timely support and well-articulated responses.” – Labour and employment
“Counselence has deep expertise in corporate and commercial matters, and their advice is practical and geared to resolving issues with minimal risks to the client. They helped us take informed decisions on crucial areas where the counterparty had taken a firm position during negotiation. Biju Varghese, a partner at Counselence, carries significant experience and brings in a much-valued commercial perspective to transactions and blends this experience well with his legal expertise during review and negotiation of documents. We also appreciated their attention to detail and timely response to queries and review of documents, particularly when we were working in different time zones and under time pressure.” – Private equity
“Counselence teams are professional and on the top of their job. Their timely intervention and advice assisted us to save monetary sanctions from regulators.” – Regulatory
“Excellent attention to details, technical knowledge and customer orientation.” – Regulatory
“Very clear, articulate and thoughtful approach. Strong knowledge of law and practice that helps us from time to time.” – Regulatory
“The team is client-focused, gives a well-researched opinion and is prompt with their response.” – Regulatory
“Recommended for their subject-matter expertise, responsiveness and strong negotiation skills.” – Technology and telecommunications
Padmanabhan Ananth
“I appreciate his ability to analyse large amounts of information, discern relevant facts, and devise logical solutions to complex problems. His effective communication, both in writing and speaking, is crucial. While it’s important to be objective, understanding and empathising with your client’s situation is key. He helps in providing personalised legal solutions and makes you more approachable. He pays attention to meticulous details. The law is constantly evolving: he stays updated with legal developments.”
“Personalised approach to client's problems and solution-based approach to professionally discharge his duties. Highly diligent, great ability to listen and understand the gravity of the problem and helps to find the right solution.”
“Easy to work with and talk to.”
“Experienced, he understands the client’s perspective and needs. He is solution-oriented.”
“I have worked with Paddy over the years. He has a calm demeanour, and it is always reassuring to have him negotiating on your behalf.”
“Paddy is a go-to lawyer for all our legal challenges. He is very professional and his ability to provide apt solutions to addressing legal issues is the reason we have been retaining his firm.”
“Paddy – as we refer to him – is approachable, offers very detailed analysis of issues and also suggestions on risk mitigation.”
“Strong subject-matter expertise, out of the box thinking and relationship management.”
“We rely on him for his responsiveness, understanding of our business and queries, communications and empathy.”
“Very professional and articulate, always has a good grasp on the subject-matter.”
Biju Varghese
“He is very responsive, always ready to help, and extremely knowledgeable in the domain.”
“Biju provides sharp, business-oriented approach to legal matters, particularly in commercial and PE investment matters where tough negotiations are involved with the funding organisations. He addresses risks in a comprehensive manner and offers options to me as the CEO for taking informed decisions. Even before engaging Counselence on the current matter, in my earlier employment Biju was on the board of directors of the company where I was CEO, and I found his independent thinking and risk assessment invaluable.”
Work highlights
Advised a technology giant on the integration of employees of an acquired entity in India consequent to a multi-country acquisition.
Provided comprehensive legal advice to numerous multinational and domestic technology clients on hybrid work processes and policies post Covid-19 pandemic, as well as back-to-office mandates.
Work highlights
Advised a global Canadian tech company acquiring a multinational UK tech company with respect to post-acquisition activities in India.
Acted for a specialist risk consultancy in executing a project as a vendor for outsourced security operations and services for a financial institution client in India.
Work highlights
Advised a senior global executive in a cross-border arbitration initiated against the executive by the former employer, a global technology company, alleging breach of non-compete and confidentiality obligations on joining a multinational e-commerce company.
Assisted a US-headquartered technology giant in integration of employees of an acquired entity in India consequent to a multi-country acquisition.
