Law firms

Luthra & Luthra's and Kochhar & Co's Delhi offices have advised on the 69 per cent acquisition of NDTV Lifestyle by US company Scripps Networks Interactive for Rs 254.5 crores ($55m).

Clifford Chance has taken the unprecedented step of hiring two lawyers from its Gurgaon-based legal support centre as associates in the main law firm, reported The Lawyer magazine today.

Amarchand Mangaldas Mumbai has created the role of chief operating officer (COO) and filled the post with a former UK firm's COO who will create a 100-day-plan to improve internal management at the firm.

The Mumbai chapter of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) is starting on its drive to become an organisation relevant outside of Delhi, kicking off with a continuing legal education programme for associates.

Amarchand Mangaldas Mumbai has advised Aditya Birla Group in the series of mergers between Grasim Industries, Samruddhi Cements and UltraTech Cements, creating India's largest and the world's tenth largest cement manufacturer.

Allen & Overy (A&O) has agreed to outsource its legal work to Mumbai and New York with legal process outsourcing (LPO) company Integreon, becoming the first magic circle firm to embrace the LPO model, according to The Lawyer magazine.

J Sagar Associates (JSA) and Luthra & Luthra co-ordinated the Rs 62.2 crore ($13.5m) cash and equity acquisition of DLF-owned DT Cinemas chain by entertainment chain PVR.

Another law firm partner has thrown his hat in the ring of local Bar Council elections, with ALMT Legal partner Hitesh Jain running for the Maharashtra & Goa Bar Council on a ticket of improving participation, relevance and infrastructure.

Bharucha & Partners and Khaitan & Co have led on The Blackstone Group's Rs 300 crore ($64m) investment in logistics company Gateway Rail Freight.

SN Gupta & Co has started up an M&A practice in Mumbai by hiring a Khaitan & Co senior associate as a partner and an associate from Hemant Sahai Associates.

The firm has also taken on new office space in Mumbai and plans to build a litigation team.

Amarchand Mangaldas Delhi has hired a non-Indian qualified competition law specialist as a director in its competition law practice, reports The Lawyer magazine.

The Supreme Court of India has requested Clifford Chance to provide details of its India-billings of more than a decade ago in its long-running dispute against the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (DCIT). The case is important to determine international firms' income tax liabilities while billing for work in India.

Four-year old Delhi corporate firm Zeus Law Associates has beefed up its practice with the hire of a former US in-houser as a managing associate and three associates fresh out of law schools.

Two partners from Linklaters have resigned to join its Indian best friend firm Talwar Thakore & Associates (TTA) as equity partners.

The firm has also promoted two of its associates to non-equity partner level and put in place a lockstep system.

Linklaters best friend Talwar Thakore & Associates has leased a new office in the Fort area with 70 per cent more floor space, bucking the recent trend of Mumbai firms moving North.