Lall would grow PSA’s dispute resolution practice after 18 years in domestic and international law firms, in-house and as an independent practitioner.

“Priti’s focus has been on corporate law and for her dispute resolution was a consequence of the corporate practice,” said Lall, adding that she would now work on building a standalone dispute resolution and arbitration practice with the firm.

After graduating from Delhi University’s law faculty in 1994 she worked in a Delhi litigating firm until 1996 and in Remfry and Sagar until 1998. In 1999 she obtained her first LLM degree from Glasgow University in the UK and worked in the in-house legal department of Indian entertainment channel Star TV.

In 2001 she joined the 20-lawyer AZB & Partners legacy firm Chambers of Zia Mody in Mumbai and a year later returned to her hometown Gurgaon to set up her own practice, explained Lall, reluctantly leaving CZB. She worked in her own chambers until 2006 when she said she had an unexpected opportunity to undertake an LLM in her area of primary interest - dispute resolution - on a full scholarship at Case Western Reserve University in the US.

US law firm Goodwin Proctor then absorbed her as a senior associate in its Washington office, to develop its India practice until the 2008 demise of global finance giant Lehman Brothers, which was a major client of the firm’s India practice.

In 2009 she revived her independent practice in Delhi with a mix of corporate work and dispute resolution including international arbitration. Her clients mostly included European and American companies.

“I was scouting to join hands with someone since then, though it is not an easy decision,” commented Lall. “When you’ve been in your own independent practice for so long, have been enjoying your independence, to be committed to someone is like getting married.”

Suri said: “With Anuradha’s addition, the firm has taken a big step and moved away from a proprietorship. We are committed to creating a firm infused with talented people who will become the future leaders. I am personally delighted because we share unified vision and values.

“Anu’s wide global exposure and professionalism shall, undoubtedly, prove to be an asset to the firm and our clients.”

Three years ago PSA, or Priti Suri Associates (PSA) as it was then called, moved into a new Barakhamba Road office in Delhi in a first step to evolve out of its sole proprietorship model. The firm also recently opened an office in Chennai in addition to its Delhi office of 15 lawyers.