Law firms

Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (LKS) opened up in Chandigarh on 1 April – adding the firm’s ninth regional presence close on the heels of the opening of a new CESTAT bench in the city.

In India’s first judgement on medical aid for rare diseases, the Delhi high court today directed the Delhi government to provide monthly medical treatment, free of cost, to a minor child afflicted with a rare disease (gaucher).

Aditi Mathur has been promoted to the partnership of Singaporean firm Shook Lin & Bok.

Homegrown Luthra & Luthra Mumbai partner Shishir Jose Vayttaden has resigned from the firm.

AZB, Trilegal and Luthra had the biggest reported deals in the first quarter of the year, which was a bit of a let down compared to the first quarter of 2014 but is looking up.

At least three domestic law firms acted on Vodafone UK’s buyout of Vodafone India shareholders to take full control over its Indian subsidiary for more than $1.6bn.

Indian Law Partners (ILP) and Ashurst acted for Japanese Toshiba in its investment in Delhi-based clean water solutions provider company UEM India.

Khaitan & Co has promoted 10 lawyers to principal associate level and 27 to senior associate, in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

Vaishali Sharma, the Khaitan & Co lateral partner who left the firm last week, has now hired three associates and won her first instructions.

Clasis Law, the best friend law firm of UK-international firm Clyde & Co, has hired Ashwin Sapra to head up its intellectual property (IP) and healthcare practice.

Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan (LKS) partner and head of indirect tax litigation Madhav Rao joined BMR Legal in Delhi as partner on 1 April, handling indirect tax litigation.

Amarchand Mangaldas Mumbai region has promoted 13 of its lawyers to principal associate and 20 to senior associate.

Sun Pharma bought debt-ridden pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy for $4bn from Daiichi Sankyo.

J Sagar Associates has promoted 23 lawyers to senior associate level, with a huge majority - 13 - getting bumped up the ladder in Mumbai.

Economic Laws Practice (ELP) elevated two Mumbai partners – Sanjay Notani in the firm’s international trade and customs practice and Darshan Upadhyay in the firm’s corporate commercial wing – into equity. The firm also made up eight new associate partners, five senior associates and nine associate managers.