VC boutique Algo forays into disputes, hires indie litigator Namitha Mathews as Delhi partner

Namita Mathews joins Algo for litigation offering
Namita Mathews joins Algo for litigation offering

Until-now pureplay corporate and private equity / venture capital boutique Algo Legal has expanded its service lines into litigation with the hire of Namitha Mathews as a partner in Delhi.

The 2006 Symbiosis Law School graduate had been running her own independent practice, Samvid Legal, since 2017 in Delhi, and, according to Algo’s statement, has been doing litigation work from trial stage up to the appellate stage, “while also managing to nurture a robust practice on the corporate side working primarily in the areas of corporate governance, private equity and infrastructure project implementation”.

She has joined Algo with her long-standing associate Poorva Pant, who is also a Symbi grad (2015 batch).

Mathews commented in a statement: “The principles on and the passion with which Algo has been founded, to create a workable synthesis between technology and law, is truly unique and is the need of the hour in these changing times in the world as well as the legal fraternity.

“I look forward to working with the team to create a dynamic dispute resolution practice within the Firm, which will not only be effective but also progressive.”

When Algo had started last year, managing partner Sandeep Kapoor had said that the firm was “supporting our clients on litigation through our associate networks”, though he had also added at the time that service lines would be driven by client demand.

In a statement about Mathews’ joining, Kapoor said: “Algo has always focused on providing distinct value to our clients and being a one-stop solution for all their legal requirements. Litigation has been an important piece of service offering that we’ve wanted to extend to our clients, and we are glad that with Namitha on board we can get this started in-house.“

We have reached out to Kapoor for further comment on why the firm was creating in-house disputes expertise at this time, as well as whether and how the firm would apply technology - which has been pitched as being part of the DNA of Algo - to litigation.

Namitha MathewsWork history From: Sep 2020: Partner, Algo LegalFull-time Jan 2017 - Sep 2020: Founder, Samvid Legal (New Delhi Area) Sep 2015 - Dec 2016: Managing Associate, SPLC, Advocates and Consultants (New Delhi Area) Apr 2006 - Aug 2015: Principal Associate , UCOL,Advocates & Consultants (New Delhi Area)Education 2001 - 2006: Symbiosis Law School, BS.LLB, Law

Comments

CaribbeanPremierLeague 2 Sept 2020, 19:31
+7 -2
This is boring. Bring on IPL.
Silas23 2 Sept 2020, 21:55
+14 -2
What is an "indie litigator"? Is that a polite term to describe a lawyer who styles herself as litigator but does not actually argue in court? Or a corporate lawyer who has seen the Supreme Court only in picture postcard?
CorporateLawyer 4 Sept 2020, 04:50
+1 -1
I can confirm that I am a corporate lawyer who has seen the Supreme Court only in a picture post card!
Falgo 3 Sept 2020, 04:48
+0 -19
I see Algo in the next 2-3 years becoming a Tier-1 Firm. This is just the start.

p.s. Fan of Algo = Falgo
Tsunami 3 Sept 2020, 11:28
+7 -0
Does algo pay it's lawyers (read plants) a fixed fee or variable for posting positive comments on LI? Seeing the number of departures across levels, including partners known for loyalty and stability, speaks volumes about algo anyway. So why such forced comments? Insecure much?
Insider 3 Sept 2020, 05:19
+4 -0
This team must have been introduced to support the incubation team working out of Bangalore that is focussed on 'online dispute resolution'. Yet, another back office team.
What? 5 Sept 2020, 16:19
+1 -0
What does online dispute resolution mean? Please tell since you're an insider.
Dazed and Confused 3 Sept 2020, 12:29
+3 -1
Does Algo practice Indian law? Their website says "Our goal is to provide the finest legal services in Southeast Asia and throughout the world."
JapaniGunda 3 Sept 2020, 19:45
+7 -6
Algo is the best firm in South East Asia. They recently won an award.
I can confirm 4 Sept 2020, 04:35
Troll
+6 -4
I can confirm that Algo has been declared best law firm in the world (and that will include South East Asia) by UNICEF. I was there when this was announced.
bengaluru 4 Sept 2020, 12:35
+1 -2
since staring in august 2019, 4 partners have left along with 1 PA, 4 SAs and numerous associates. dunno where things are headed but it will be All Go for the starting team +others...what will going into litigation do anyway for corporate firm?
Outsourcing 4 Sept 2020, 19:15
+9 -0
Only back office work. Back to Themis.
Why? 5 Sept 2020, 08:07
+0 -6
Maybe the starting team was not good enough?
Well Wisher 5 Sept 2020, 14:01
+5 -2
I am genuinely considering you as a third party and not someone whose paid by the Algo Management to defend the comments here.

If the starting team wasnt good enough, the firm Themis wouldnt be in existence for the past 10 years. Moreover, all those partners / PAs / SAs and Associates (endless list) left to join better firms (and most of them being Tier I). Ever done a review of the current partners and the team (the managing partner himself) and what they do (as compared to any law firm)... It would be easier to find the answer there... I can save you from doing a homework - do check the comments section of the previous news of the exits...

For full disclosure: I was a part of the team once.
Something something... 5 Sept 2020, 16:15
+1 -4
They must be doing something right? I look at the LI rankings for the year till now and they seem to be top 5 in terms of deals. I remember some other ranking also where they were top 5 in terms of deals. Trolls be hating, but clients be working with them? Someone must be there doing all these deals.
Someone 6 Sept 2020, 11:52
+2 -0
It's true that they were a part of rankings, but that was when Vinayak and Siddharth were still in Algo. And do note that majority of the transactions reported by Algo had these two (or their team members) leading that transaction. And with them leaving, including many others, do you still think something is working? I won't be surprised if you start seeing many of the clients leaving with the partners.
Insider 6 Sept 2020, 16:05
+0 -0
Dont know about the clients who left, but associates are dying with work as usual. Some partners left, some came, but us associates can't catch a breather :( After doing so much work, we better do well in these rankings!
Someone 7 Sept 2020, 05:31
+0 -0
I guess you are talking about Bangalore office (or Delhi maybe), because from what I have heard, Mumbai only has 3 SAs and 0 Associates.
Insider 7 Sept 2020, 17:06
+0 -0
Everyone is dying with work :( Irrespective of locations!
Starting 5 Sept 2020, 16:06
+2 -0
Maybe starting itself wasnt good.
Funds practice 6 Sept 2020, 22:54
+5 -2
Algo will surprise everyone wirh a big announcement.
Falgo 7 Sept 2020, 01:35
+3 -0
They are shutting shop?
Sano 10 Sept 2020, 01:43
+1 -0
Poor little _____boy in picture?
Well Wisher 7 Sept 2020, 12:50
+4 -0
Maybe an announcement that the Managing Partner found another job !
Sano 9 Sept 2020, 04:30
+0 -0
How he must be wising never left squoia
Law school grad 7 Sept 2020, 15:24
+0 -0
Hi LI community. Any idea how much Algo pays to A0s?
Sano 9 Sept 2020, 04:31
+0 -0
60k
WHAAATTTT 10 Sept 2020, 09:00
+0 -0
Since when? I know A0s in Algo who are getting 50K per month!!
Well Wisher 15 Sept 2020, 05:23
+0 -0
With 80pc team having left the firm, I am sure the firm can (on desperate measures) hire resources at a Tier I pay !!!
Ekpal 15 Sept 2020, 11:17
+0 -0
Another one bites the dust. Loss in Delhi.