Narayanan, who had been with Majmudar for around 11 years and specialises in technology, intellectual property and finance, confirmed his departure but declined to comment further until plans were finalised.

Majmudar managing partner Akil Hirani told Legally India that Narayanan was in charge of Majmudar’s IP practice but left to start his own firm, and said that he wished him well.

“It has all been very amicable but it’s also very sad because he spent so much time in the firm, you become pretty close,” said Hirani (pictured). “But I guess if someone wants to be an entrepreneur you have to wish them well.”

Hirani added that Majmudar’s IP practice would continue with a senior IP consultant at the firm and new hires.

Meanwhile, associate partner Merchant was promoted to equity partnership on 1 April. The 1996 graduate and Bombay-qualified solicitor specialises in litigation, having joined the firm in 2007.

This took Majmudar to five equity partners and two salaried partners, said Hirani, adding that the Mumbai and Bangalore offices now consisted of around 40 lawyers with a total national strength of around 100 lawyers including local affiliate firms.