Federal & Rashmikant’s two senior name partners M Federal and C Rashmikant are due to separate, dissolving the partnership of the top Mumbai litigation and real estate firm, according to two reliable sources.
We separately emailed both real estate partner M Federal and litigation partner C Rashmikant for comment about their break-up earlier this week.
Both jointly responded, stating: “We do not comment on speculation.”
Update 23 June, 750pm: We have received a new joint statement that the firm is now reorganising its partnership: “We are in the process of re-organizing the Firm. This is being done for the best interest of the future of the Firm and all those working/associated with us including our clients.”
Federal & Rashmikant (F&R) has generally kept a low profile, as many of the more old-school Mumbai solicitors firms do.
However, the name hit the mainstream press after the Times of India first reported that it was representing then-Amarchand Mangaldas co-managing partner Cyril Shroff in the dispute with his brother Shardul (who had relied on Bharucha & Partners as his law firm).
UK-based consultancy RSG Consulting lists F&R, founded in 1980, as having 2 partners and 15 total lawyers, while legal directory Magic Lawyers states it has 5 partners, with 15-20 associates, with “leading individuals” besides the two name partners also being Murtuza Federal and Rohan Dakshini (who had made partner at the firm in 2009).
Magic Lawyers noted that “the firm relies on Senior Partner C Rashmikant’s excellent reputation and relationship with domestic clientele, especially in the Real Estate space. The firm is unique in the fact that in spite of being based out of Mumbai its Partners are often mandated by their clients to represent them in the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi.”
Update 23 June 2018: Chambers & Partners lists both founding partners as “star individuals”, with C Rashmikant in litigation and M Federal in real estate. The firm as a whole has a rank of “band 1” in real estate and “band 2” in dispute resolution.
Photo by Hernan PC.
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I don't think that we have ever reported any story relying purely on hearsay - in fact, we'll usually bend over backwards to get on-the-record confirmation or to give everyone involved a chance to comment, or decline to comment, as appropriate. ...”
The partners have both declined to comment on “speculation”. It’s interesting how Kian hasn’t stated whether “it’s understood that...” or the source of such news, but has proceeded to state as confirmed news that a firm is dissolving. Quite contrary to what Kian stated in 2013 about publishing “hearsay” or confirmed reports. This clearly seems like a “hearsay” report, but I guess even journalists keep changing their reporting policies in order to sensationalise and generate gossip.
I understand that it's largely a matter of succession of the next generation of family at the firm, though I don't have further details.
In any case, we regularly report news when partners or firms don't comment, if we have adequate sourcing. In this case, we are confident in our information and the story, though the process is not yet a done deal.
As said in the earlier comments, how can you limit Mumbai’s (dare I say) Best Litigaton and ( one of the best) Real Estate Firm’s to be recognised as the firm that helped Mr. Shroff during the AMSS split. It’s insulting the superb work they’ve done and continue to do and the respect they’ve garnered over the years. You may report all the heresay you wish, but don’t report it so terribly that the joke is on you.
Just because they don't have a serious corporate law practice, and therefore no deal reports, does not mean that they are low profile. They are low profile in the internet, not where it matters.
Kian is the one whose responses are on a Downward Spiral.
To go back to the topic- Kian, journalism is about putting things in context. You haven't, and you didn't get it right the first time. At least acknowledge this, instead of putting your Head, Like, into A Hole. You must think all of us are forming a Pretty Hate Machine, but We're In This Together. It will only bring us Closer.
- Hurt
Kian, you are only making foolish statements by trying to justify this article. Just FYI, in case you’re not already aware, a law firm isn’t proven to be good because another top law firm trusts and uses them... please note I said “another” top law firm because F&R was already a top law firm before Cyril Shroff briefed them. Also, you are not giving due credit to and only insulting all the majors clients that F&R has had even before Cyril Shroff went to them by suggesting that only Cyril Shroff can make the best judgment call vis-a-vis hiring a lawyer.
Our headline even called them a 'top' firm, which we have never said about any firm that I can remember. Why so insecure?
And I still think mentioning the Cyril Shroff connection does that very effectively and succinctly in this case, explaining in a few words that this is a well-respected solicitors firm we're talking about rather than some 100 year-old solicitors firm from a different era that many people outside Mumbai or certain circles may have never heard of.
Interesting that for non Mumbai lawyers, especially litigators it's a relatively unknown commodity.
With all the praise I'd consider working with them, but apparently they splitting so that is probably self defeating
Get over yourselves, they may be a good firm, but no one outside Mumbai and a few Delhi litigators have ever heard of them.
Your ignorance is funny.
Do some homework and ask around in the fraternity about a partner’s practice, reputation and that of the firm before writing something. This is just unprofessional filth.
P.S. I don’t work at F&R, am a corporate lawyer. But I have had the opportunity to be on the other side of both Mr. Federal and Mr. Rashmikant and I know what stalwarts both are.
1. The statement reads that the firm relies on one partners excellence, "especially" in the real estate space. That is very different from the question you are posing to me in retort. I hope you understand how argument logic works.
2. You are skewing the practice of the firm in the way you are representing it - Your article starts with the assertion that it is a leading litigation firm. That is simply not true. It is a leading real estate and litigation firm.
3. Hitting the mainstream press is not the same thing as being a well-known firm. Again, take a step back and understand the difference instead of trying to justify a position which is incorrect. As I said, do some research and then write or else accept that this forum is simply clickbait. The problem is the manner in which you representing the reputation of a firm, the practice of specific partners at the firm and the outlook that the readers of the articles garner. Grow up and start being responsible for what is being written.
That can be and has now been easily remedied by including Chambers citations for both.
That said, your limited point certainly didn't justify your ad hominem or general tone of your comment (nor was it initially clear from your initial comment what your point was, other than general abuse along several different, somewhat confused tangents).
But that still doesn't make the Magic Lawyers profile of Mr Rashmikant's litigation practice incorrect, unless he indeed does not have any real estate clients? But considering that Mr Federal is a real estate lawyer, it would make sense that Mr Rashmikant also represents those clients in court and that he's developed strong relationships in the space too.
It could be that this is incorrect, and that Mr Rashmikant does not have any real estate clients he represents in litigations, but I haven't heard any evidence of that here. If that is the case, do please let me know and I'll happily make a correction.
"The firm has been considered as one of the cornerstones of Mumbai's changing cityscape.
Named partner M Federal has been considered as one of the foremost authorities on Mumbai Real Estate Law and is often called upon by both traditional and new developers, whenever they have any complex transactions. The firm is known to be highly meticulous with its searches and provides solutions for the most complicated transactions."
This is in the Real Estate listing at Magic Lawyers where they are talking of the firms real estate practice.
On the Firm page, it is speaking of their Litigation strength and therefore of Mr. Rahmikant and his relationships with Real Estate clients, not the Real estate practice.
So while all of you blame Kian for a lack of research, please do your own.
Kian, those of us without hidden agendas appreciate your work. Please don't let people like this get to you.
Even the home page of Magic Lawyers has two different areas called litigation and real estate. Real Estate practice is different (which involves real estate transactional work) from Litigation practice (which may include real estate related litigation not transactional work). When one says one is a real estate lawyer, generally one means a real estate transaction lawyer.
Hope the lesson on the difference between Real Estate practice and Litigation practice has made things clear for you.
Pranaam.
Please go to Chambers, check both individuals rankings. Cheers. When it’s raining one gets lazy. We all understand.
Just because you may not hear of F and R in the media, does not make them insignificant. F and R is very well known and respected in legal circles. This is what really matters. Not media and fanfare.
Kian further puts in a descriptor (the CAM reference) that will resonate more with his reader base. All of you purported well-wishers of F&R have only ended up negatively impacting their reputation on this forum. Whereas what Kian had done was introduce their brilliance to a much larger audience by sticking his neck out and calling them a 'top' firm. Something he does not even do for the Shroffs, Luthra or Zia. Thus, in his own way giving a parting gift to the two of them by trying to establish the last memory this generation has of them as being a top firm. Instead what all of you have managed to do is project an image of in fighting, where each one is fighting for credit and relevance. Sad.
Kian also further refers to RSG and Magic Lawyers who only have good things to say about the firm and Mr. F and Mr. R. Thus, further telling his reader base that others think positively about the two of them. All of you instead go on about how Mr. R does not run the real estate practice. Kian refers to clientele, not practice area. Magic Lawyers clearly covers Mr. F as a doyen of the Real Estate sector and gives credit to the Litigation practice sun by Mr. R as comprising of real estate clients.
All that Kian tried to do was cement their credentials. All that you have succeeded in doing is sullying their reputation.
Both of them deserve better than that. They are stalwarts of the industry. Amongst the last ones standing after Mr. Popat's death. Mr. Bhakta remains so does Mr. Bharucha. These are only a handful. Have the respect of being courteous and kind when you speak of them. Be careful of what you say. None of these names would appreciate the lack of comprehension on display. Respect that.
Troll this post if you may, but please remember you will be continuing to do injustice to those you seek to defend through your unfounded excitement on this non-issue.
"Re-organizing/Re-structuring" we'll have to wait & see.
Federal is someone's name!???!!
If I was him, I'd name my daughter "Quasi". Just to mess with people.
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