Thakker & Thakker, which was founded in 1990, will stop operating as a law firm by 31 December 2010 with its three partners and roughly 50 lawyers looking at potentially joining other law firms.
The decision was internally announced late last week.
Founding and managing partner Bijesh Thakker said that he would discontinue law practice to devote his full time and attention to philanthropic projects, for which he would continue to employ all 50 non-legal staff of the firm and make use of the firm’s Nariman point offices.
In an emailed statement, Bijesh Thakker told Legally India: “After enjoying another record-breaking year for awards and directory rankings, I'm sad of course to leave the profession and all those who've kindly supported me but I confess I'm very excited to be free to fulfil this long term philanthropic ambition.”
“Most of all I'm profoundly grateful to all my clients who have so graciously shown me their trust for all these years and, of course, to my loyal team who have worked so hard to maintain our standards,” he added.
One of the projects Thakker had been “quietly developing for many years”, he said, included an “ambitious nature and ecology educational park (known as the SMART project) in Mumbai which is designed to enrich the lives of children”.
According to the project’s website, the Sushma Medicinal & Ayurvedic Research Trust (SMART) is an educational charitable trust based in Panvel near Mumbai, that is “developing a unique conservation site for children to foster a greater appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment and our interdependence with it through educational programs and services”.
Partner Anand Mehta, associate partner Anisha Patnaik who was promoted in June 2009, and senior consultant Ketan Kothari remain at the firm. In December 2009, partner Gautam Bhat joined Platinum Partners in Mumbai. According to consultancy RSG India Thakker & Thakker had 55 lawyers last year.
The firm has had a particularly strong focus on servicing US clients in the technology space and has offices in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi.
Bijesh Thakker is a dual qualified solicitor in England & Wales and with the Bombay Incorporated Law Society. He completed his law degree at Kings College London and finished his articles at UK firm Wilde Sapte (now called Denton Wilde Sapte). He founded Thakker & Thakker with with J.V. Thakker in 1990.
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Just wondering whether this could have been done as well since I think that both approaches would have led to the same outcome.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Aditya-Puri-is-ET-biz-leader-of-the-year/articleshow/6703026.cms
Forgive me for being cynical, but could not all of this be done without disbanding the firm. And, why can't a 'normal' school foster all of the activities listed above.
My secret wish is to set up a school in space (outer space, that is)for children once space shuttle service becomes routine and economical. My objective: to create a deeper awareness of the relationship between technology and humanity...to foster the scientific spirit...the demonstrate the possibilities thrown up by science and tech...the need to respect machines and to prevent the enslavement of the human race to the gizmos...blah blah blah.
My only worry: aliens might thrown a spanner in the works...Watch Aliens v Predator Vol 27.
Guys just remember if this man has potential to start his law business from scratch to a great success today. Then only think what he can do for his Philanthrop project. Encourage such activitys . It might be benificatal for your child future also.
in the absence of any legal/regulatory protections for young professionals like us.....all we do is believe in the greatness and class of our seniors and so called "mentors" in the profession.... incidents like this not only financially/professionally affect the ppl who lose their jobs but rather create an overall sense of professional insecurity in young legal professionals as a whole.
For the records.....fresh recruits have joined the firm as late as June 2010.....sum of whom were lateral switcheshis who left their jobs and joined in search of better prospects at T&T....Planning this exit well in advance was the least Mr. thakker could have done.....
And what bout clients whose work would suffer in the process....they dont even have a recourse against the chaos they would be going thru( and lets not talk about giving them a smooth transition).....with so much damage being done.....should we even bother to consider the reasons that Mr. Thakker has to give.....it is bad enough irrespective of however noble the reasons behind this are........
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