The Most Influential Lawyers To Watch In 2022

WWW.THEENTERPRISEWORLD.COM | APAC EDITION | JULY 2022 The Most INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS To Watch In 2022 Founder Atlas Law Partners HARRY CHAWLA A Leader in Law with an Extensive Experience







From Editor’s Desk The modern society that we live in, a lawyers' role is just as vital as any other, to advocate for the rights of the common man. And even if it seems like a normal thing for a lawyer to do, it is a mammoth of a task, and is as diverse as it gets. Whatever the circumstances be, lawyers are expected to satisfy their customers in all the matters, financial or social. Legal matters at times can be a little too complicated and only the best lawyers can help to understand them and give a legitimate legal advice. The Enterprise World in this issue of The Most Influential Lawyers to Watch in 2022 features the stories of extraordinary lawyers, who with their deep understanding and a vast study in their fields have accomplished many things. For the cover story read about- Bringing years of expertise in the field of law, Harry Chawla has been a renowned name in the Banking and Finance Sector, Mergers and Acquisitions and Real Estate. With the extensive experience at his disposal, Harry chawla has played a key role in advising clients in the banking and financial services sector, hospitality, healthcare, automobile, aviation, telecom, IT, ITES, consumer goods etc. Dr. Kalyan Kankanala, the Founding Partner of BananaIP Counsels and an expert lawyer helping you safeguard your inventions. Dr. Kalyan Kankanala is the primary founding partner of BananaIP Counsels. Being a well-known IP attorney and author, his expertise in the field has helped the firm and its clients to maximize their business and financial value with the help of their intellectual property assets. Subathra Mylsamy, an International Business Law expert. In this interview with her, let us find out more about her journey in AKM. “A full-service corporate law firm, A K Mylsamy & Associates LLP is reputed for offering customized legal services and strategic advice to its clients that suit their legal needs and purposes. The firm promises consistency and long-term solutions in a timely and effective manner. Originally founded as a sole proprietorship by Mr. A.K Mylsamy, it became a partnership firm with the joining of Subathra Mylsamy. In 2010, the Firm formally became a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Alongside the partners, the firm is guided by an illustrious advisory board.” Ameeta Verma Duggal, Partner at DGS Associates. In this interview with her, let us know more about her journey at DGS Associates. “DGS Associates is a partnership firm founded by Niti Sudhakar and Ameeta Verma Duggal in 2004. DGS Associates is a multi- disciplinary boutique firm situated in New Delhi. The key areas of practice for DGS Associates are Aviation; International Trade & Bilateral Investment Treaties, Corporate & Commercial, Defence, Arbitration, Mediation & Litigation, amongst others.” In an interview with Sanjay Upadhyay, Founder of The Enviro-Legal Defence Firm (ELDF), we shall know more about his journey and personality. “ELDF's journey, like any other start-up, went through its crests and troughs, trying to convince clients that environmental law services are not to be seen only as a pro bono exercise but also have merit in saving environment and helping those who are affected by environmental decisions and those whose compliance standards have to be improved with specialist inputs.” Sameer Tapia, Founder and Senior Partner of Almt Legal. In an interview with him, let us know more about his journey. The firm has received a number of accolades over the years as also individuals and partners of the firm. The firm has over the past four years has always ranked in its corporate and litigation work which has been very notable and received the best firm award, litigation firm of the year award, the Who's Who legal work award etc. Shalmali Shalmali W.

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Leaders in Spotlight For the cover story read about- Ameeta Verma Duggal, Partner at DGS Associates. Bringing years of expertise in the field of law, Harry In this interview with her, let us know more about her Chawla has been a renowned name in the Banking journey at DGS Associates. and Finance Sector, Mergers and Acquisitions and Real Estate. With the extensive experience at his “DGS Associates is a partnership firm founded by Niti disposal, Harry Chawla has played a key role in Sudhakar and Ameeta Verma Duggal in 2004. DGS advising clients in the banking and financial services Associates is a multi-disciplinary boutique firm sector, hospitality, healthcare, automobile, aviation, situated in New Delhi. The key areas of practice for telecom, IT, ITES, consumer goods etc. DGS Associates are Aviation; International Trade & Bilateral Investment Treaties, Corporate & Dr. Kalyan Kankanala, the Founding Partner of Commercial, Defence, Arbitration, Mediation & BananaIP Counsels and an expert lawyer helping you Litigation, amongst others.” safeguard your inventions. In an interview with Sanjay Upadhyay, Founder of Dr. Kalyan Kankanala is the primary founding The Enviro-Legal Defence Firm (ELDF), we shall partner of BananaIP Counsels. Being a well-known IP know more about his journey and personality. attorney and author, his expertise in the field has helped the firm and its clients to maximize their “ELDF's journey, like any other start-up, went business and financial value with the help of their through its crests and troughs, trying to convince intellectual property assets. clients that environmental law services are not to be seen only as a pro bono exercise but also have merit Subathra Mylsamy, an International Business Law in saving environment and helping those who are expert. In this interview with her, let us find out more affected by environmental decisions and those whose about her journey in AKM. compliance standards have to be improved with specialist inputs.” “A full-service corporate law firm, A K Mylsamy & Associates LLP is reputed for offering customized Sameer Tapia, Founder and Senior Partner of Almt legal services and strategic advice to its clients that Legal. In an interview with him, let us know more suit their legal needs and purposes. The firm promises about his journey. consistency and long-term solutions in a timely and effective manner. Originally founded as a sole The firm has received a number of accolades over the proprietorship by Mr. A.K Mylsamy, it became a years as also individuals and partners of the firm. The partnership firm with the joining of Subathra firm has over the past four years has always ranked in Mylsamy. In 2010, the Firm formally became a its corporate and litigation work which has been very Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Alongside the notable and received the best firm award, litigation partners, the firm is guided by an illustrious advisory firm of the year award, the Who's Who legal work board.” award etc.

12. Harry Chawla

22. CC OO NN TT EE NN TT SS Ameeta Verma Duggal 26. Dr. Kalyan Kankanal 32. Sameer Tapia 36. Shri Sanjay Upadhyay 42. Subathra Mylsamy





COVER STORY HARRY CHAWLA A Leader in Law with an Extensive Experience Founder Atlas Law Partners 12   J U L Y 2 0 2 2

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Acquisitions and Real Estate. With the COVER STORY extensive experience at his disposal, Harry has played a key role in advising “Over the years, clients in the banking and financial our numerical services sector, hospitality, healthcare, strength has Vautomobile, aviation, telecom, IT, grown, and ITES, consumer goods etc. today we boast of a partnership Harry has extensive experience in the consisting of 7 real estate sector, and represents some (seven) partners of the largest players in the Indian real and 20 (twenty) estate market, including several Indian companies as well as foreign investors. associates He has also assisted Government of across various India and a few State Government(s) in the drafting of legislations in this levels.” sector. Very rarely do firms reach the very top He has also advised and represented a without being a part of at least a few number of clients on issues pertaining Merger and Acquisitions transactions. to corporate finance, both domestic and Some of the most successful firms in cross border, debt restructuring and the world are known to employ teams refinancing, securitization, acquisition of professionals, where their only role finance, structured finance, bonds and is to seek out some of the most similar instruments. attractive potential acquisitions, and that journey tells its own story. Apart from his stellar experience in Banking and Finance, he also has When implemented well, an accurately extensive experience in general mapped mergers and acquisitions corporate and commercial laws. strategy proves to be highly fruitful for Having worked closely with a large the success of any company. number of international and domestic corporations with respect to their And when implemented by an expert business in India and outside India, and experienced lawyer, the graph just Harry Chawla is the go to name for the grows. most reliable services. Featuring for the Cover Story of The He has also participated in business Enterprise World's this issue of The strategy evolution and formulation Most Influential Lawyers To Watch In process with several clients, vis-à-vis 2022 is Harry Chawla, an expert their new ventures and business lawyer and a leader with extensive initiatives and has advised in experience. establishing, operationalization and implementation of the business The Many Endeavours of Harry strategies of the clients. He has also Chawla- advised several clients on strategizing in dispute resolution, negotiation and Bringing years of expertise in the field settlement etc. of law, Harry Chawla has been a renowned name in the Banking and Harry has been ranked in IBLJ's A-list Finance Sector, Mergers and of Top 100 lawyers in 2020 and 2016. He has also been ranked for his work www.theenterpriseworld.com |15

COVER STORY in Corporate M&A by Asia Law firm since its inception through their “We see our prospects increasing in Leading Lawyers in 2018. established names and rankings in the leaps and bounds in our areas of legal market in India and outside. specializations including banking & Laying the Foundation of Atlas Law finance, mergers and acquisitions and Partners- Journey of Atlas Law Partners- real estate.” The Firm was founded by Mr. Harry Atlas Law Partners was established in Harry also sees the firm growing in the Chawla and Ms. Niti Paul. Mr Harry November 2016 with a small team start-up space, representing investors Chawla joined the law practice in 1990 comprising of 4 members, including and start-ups alike from an early stage and has worked since then with several the Co-founders, Harry Chawla and seed investment to a growth – stage leading India law firms, including the Niti Paul. funding. erstwhile Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co., Cyril The founders aimed to establish ALP Harry's Advice to the Budding Amarchand Mangaldas, Luthra & as a boutique corporate and Entrepreneurs- Luthra Law Offices and Kochhar & transactional advisory firm, with Co., before starting Atlas Law Partners. expertise in corporate commercial “Start-ups and entrepreneurs in the law He is the face of the Firm, and is a laws, mergers & acquisitions, private firm space need to identify their niche well-regarded name in the industry. He equity, real estate, banking & finance, practice areas and work with a focus is often regarded as the Firm's go-to private client practice matters, towards developing these. In this day lawyer for high value mergers and regulatory matters, antitrust / and age of super specialization, it is acquisitions with specialism in real competition laws and dispute important, especially for start-up law estate, corporate law, securities law and resolution. It grew slowly and steadily firms to identify their practice areas exchange control regulations. over the next few months with more and hire the correct talent for these lawyers joining the Atlas team. The practice areas and industry sectors.” His work includes not only advising initial team of Atlas operated out of a corporate clients across various sectors basement office in Defence Colony and “Atlas team is and practice areas, but also assisting moved into their swanky Okhla Phase a small but Government of India in the drafting of III office within a period of less than 2 effective one legislations, particularly in the real (two) months. and we hope estate sector. to grow in The Changing Space and Atlas' Ms. Niti Paul was admitted to the bar Road Ahead- numbers and in 1999 and has worked with leading transactions Indian law firms such as erstwhile Some of the key challenges faced by Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Indian law firms today are keeping size and Shroff & Co., Cyril Amarchand costs under control by moving from volume year Mangaldas and Kochhar & Co. She has traditional hourly billable format to also worked in the in-house legal fixed fee matters. In order to face on year.” department was leading multinational face intense competition from corporations. Niti has extensive accounting / consulting firms who have experience on the corporate been investing heavily in their legal commercial side and heads the M&A services arm despite warnings from and Private Equity practices of Atlas Bar Council of India and various Law Partners. She has been featured in lawyers' associations, it is important The Phenomenal She 2019, published for Indian law firms to achieve super by the Indian National Bar Association. specialization that is unmatched . Retention of correct talent with The Founders of the firm, Mr. Harry thousands of lawyers entering the legal Chawla and Ms. Niti Paul, are market on a regular basis is an equally recognized names in the Indian important challenge. corporate commercial legal market. They have brought recognition to the Atlas Law Partners endeavours to grow from strength to strength. 16 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

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COVER STORY The Many Accolades of Atlas Ÿ Awarded Corporate Law Firm in India – 2019 by Global Law Partners- of the Year – 2022 by Global Law Experts Law Experts “In a short time, Atlas Law Ÿ Named as the Rising Star of Partners and its members have Ÿ Medha Srivastava featured as India's legal profession, by achieved significant a Rising Star in Asian Legal India Business Law Journal recognition.” Business's India Rising Stars for two consecutive years in 2022 edition 2017 and 2018 Some of their most notable achievements include- Ÿ Awarded Real Estate Law Ÿ Ranked as the Rising Star in Ÿ Ranked for Corporate M&A Firm of the Year – 2021 by 2018 by Practise League and Private Equity & Investment Funds by The Lawyer Network Ÿ Harry Chawla, co-founder Legal500 Asia Pacific Guide 2022 Ÿ Awarded Real Estate Law and senior partner at the firm Ÿ Recommended as Firm to Firm of the Year – 2020 by was ranked for his work in Watch in Real Estate and Construction by Legal500 Global Law Experts Corporate M&A by Asia Law Asia Pacific Guide 2022 Ÿ Awarded Best Boutique Leading Lawyers in 2018 Ÿ Harry Chawla ranked in India Business Law Journal's A-list Transactional Advisory Law Ÿ Harry Chawla ranked in India of Top 100 lawyers in 2020 Firm – India by APAC Legal Business Law Journal's A-list Ÿ Ranked for both Banking, M&A and Private Equity Awards 2020 of Top 100 lawyers in 2016- practices by IFLR1000 2022 Ÿ Harry Chawla awarded 17 Ÿ Ranked as a Recognized Firm for Banking Finance Leading Legal Mind in Ÿ Niti Paul, the co-founder and and Real Estate and Notable Firm for Corporate M&A and Corporate Finance (India) by a senior partner at the firm, Private Equity practices by AsiaLaw 2022 APAC Legal Awards 2020 has been featured as one of Ÿ Awarded Real Estate Law Ÿ Awarded M&A and Banking the prominent figures in The Firm of the Year – 2022 by Finance Law Firm of the Year Phenomenal She 2019, Legal Powerlist Global Law in India by 2020 Corporate published by the Indian Awards INTL Global Awards National Bar Association Ÿ Awarded Banking & Finance Ÿ Harry Chawla featured in the “Constellations – Shining Law Firm of The Year – India Stars of Indian Legal by ACQ5 Global Awards 2019 Fraternity” released by Ÿ Harry Chawla recommended Corporate Counsels as Real Estate Expert in India Association of India in 2019 by Global Law Experts Ÿ Awarded the Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year 18 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

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Partner, DGS Associates 22 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

AMEETA VERMA DUGGAL Excellency in International Trade Laws Building a legal career takes Kindly tell us about your journey the right skills, to grow and since the inception of the company? to stay in it. Clearing exams can sometimes be one of the easiest DGS Associates is a partnership firm tasks, but to stay in the field with all founded by Niti Sudhakar and Ameeta your might and guts is what it Verma Duggal in 2004. DGS actually takes to be a successful Associates is a multi-disciplinary lawyer. It requires the amalgamation boutique firm situated in New Delhi. of various skill sets, like at times, one The key areas of practice for the firm needs to be a very creative and are Aviation; International Trade & persuasive writer, and at times, you Bilateral Investment Treaties, need to flip it and turn on to your Corporate & Commercial, Defence, analytical and dispassionate side. Arbitration, Mediation & Litigation, amongst others. Having had a successful career as a lawyer, this feature of The Enterprise In the initial days, we got a much- World in the issue The Most needed impetus from Mr. S.N. Influential Lawyers To Watch In 2022 Mookherjee, Senior Advocate, who is of Ameeta Verma Duggal, Partner sent us work from Kolkata to the at DGS Associates. extent that we became literally the sole firm doing all the filings in the In this interview with her, let us know Company Law Board for Kolkata more about her journey at the firm. based companies. Added to this was our empanelment on the Central www.theenterpriseworld.com |23

Government panel for the Supreme acquisitions, international trade, and the Contributed the India chapter in the Court. regulatory practice of her firm. Her World ECR publication, Managing expertise lies in import and export of Investigations. This guide acts as a With the security of litigation work dual use goods. navigational tool to the multi- coming in, we could focus on dimensional and multi-jurisdictional developing the corporate practice. We Ameeta also devotes significant time on enforcement. got clients like Celebi Aviation from rendering pro bono legal advice. She is Turkey and Havas Group from France a member of the Pan-India Advisory in 2006 and they became the base of Board of VIDYA Integrated our corporate practice. Then in 2008, Development for Youth and Adults, a the international trade practice was set 35-year old NGO that believes in social up with clients like POSCO, Samsung, change through empowering the most Hyosung from Korea, and Mitsui from vulnerable members of underprivileged Japan. Thereafter, as they say, the rest communities : the children, youth and is history. women. We have gathered considerable Mention some of the awards, Contributed the India chapter in the goodwill through our journey and that achievements, recognitions and clients' World ECR publication, World goodwill has helped us sail. Today feedback that you feel are notable and Encryption Controls. This book details DGS boasts of a well-established valuable for the company. the regulatory, licensing and policy practice, specifically in sectors frameworks for the export of encrypted spanning aviation, telecommunication, In recent times, DGS has been awarded products. It is a valuable resource for media, defence, international trade and the Law Firm of the Year award for companies exporting, manufacturing or regulatory practice across sectors. International Trade for the years 2020, distributing tangible or intangible 2021 and 2022 by the IBLJ. products that use encryption We have, however, always preferred to technology. be a cohesive team of lawyers, and Ameeta has been named in the A – List prefer to function as a boutique firm. published by the India Business Law Kindly share your point of view on The firm strength has never exceeded Journal (IBLJ) as one of the top 100 the current scenario, major 10-15 lawyers at any stage. However, lawyers in India for the year 2020 and challenges, and opportunities of the what has been evolving is our periodic again 2021-22. Indian Legal Sector. endeavour to add to our offering of Currently, the Indian Legal Sector is at services. Ameeta is a published Author and has a very dynamic stage, particularly post co-authored Export Controls of India, a COVID. The past two years have seen Kindly brief us about the proactive pioneering book in the field of export significant economic downturn, and this founder/CEO of the company and controls published by Thomson Reuters. has worked to the lawyers' advantage. his/her contribution towards The second edition of the book was There has been a steady growth, both company and Industry. released last year. for transactional work as well as litigation and dispute resolution. Ameeta Verma Duggal has worked The book serves as guidance on with some of the leading law firms in compliance with a comprehensive India based out of New Delhi. She was analysis of the applicable law and awarded the British Chevening procedures in India for the benefit of its Scholarship to study at the College of users. Law, York and worked briefly in the London office of Clifford Chance. During the span of almost 28 years of her professional life, Ameeta has worked extensively in areas of international trade laws, cross border transactional and conveyancing work. Ameeta spearheads the mergers & 24 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

The biggest challenge witnessed in What are the major contributing How do you motivate creativity and recent times was the shift towards factors behind your company's innovation in the workspace while digitisation. The epidemic compelled success? maintaining a healthy work lawyers to digitise overnight, which environment? has again proved to be an advantage. The biggest factor for the success of DGS is its emphasis on relationship DGS encourages personal growth and Brief us about the major challenges building. Our lawyers largely remain lawyers have the flexibility of pursuing your company has faced. part of DGS even after starting their their passions in life. The work culture independent practice. Most of our at DGS does not require lawyers to There have been challenges, clients are long-standing. Most abide by fixed hours at work. There are particularly in our initial years. importantly, our staff has continued to no late hours at DGS, except for However, these have been the usual be with us for several years. DGS is exigencies, and lawyers are encouraged challenges of setting up a law firm. the product of this cohesive teamwork to finish their work in good time. We are fortunate not to have faced between the lawyers, staff and our any significant challenge during our clients. Share your experience and brief us existence. about the tactics and strategies to build long term customer relationship. DGS operates at the fundamental level of commitment, hard work and integrity. There is a strict requirement in the firm not to miss a deadline agreed with the client. The partners are always accessible, both to the lawyers in the firm and the clients. We have had instances where clients have come back to the firm, after having left for a bigger firm, only because of the availability of the partners. How do you see the company and the industry in the future ahead? We see DGS evolving and growing with the changing landscape. We are excited to add new sectors to our practice areas, particularly in the field of technology. What would be your advice to the budding entrepreneurs? Nothing succeeds like hard work and passion for what you are doing. There are no short cuts in life. Be honest with yourself and take pride in your work product. Only then will your clients appreciate your work. www.theenterpriseworld.com |25

Founding Partner, BananaIP Counsels 26 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

DR. KALYAN KANKANALA Safeguarding Your Invention Who would like it when Dr. Kalyan Kankanala- The someone else takes the Leading Force- credit for your invention? Your inventions can Dr. Kalyan C. Kankanala is the always be safe with you, only if you primary founding partner of file for a patent. In simple words, BananaIP Counsels. Being a well- patent is something that states that known IP attorney and author, his this particular invention was by you expertise in the field has helped the and gives you all the rights to it. By firm and its several clients to filing for a patent, you can hold a maximize their business and financial strong market position and also get value with the help of their high return on investments. In the intellectual property assets. Having longer run, if you want to sell the authored some of the most invention, a patent is something that pathbreaking works on IP, his works gives you the authority to that too. have made great impacts and rather significant contributions to the field Featuring for The Enterprise World's of intellectual property, more this issue of The Most Influential specifically that of the patent law. Lawyers to Watch in 2022 is Dr. Kalyan Kankanala, Founding This expertise that the founding team Partner of BananaIP & an expert brings to the table is what sets the lawyer helping you safeguard your firm apart from all the other invention. competitors. www.theenterpriseworld.com |27

“Our core team includes some of the strategize, protect and license Seasoned patent drafting and highly qualified, experienced, and intellectual property. prosecution expert for global specialized team of Senior Partners. manufacturing and automotive All senior partners are highly Works with a portfolio of clients companies. accomplished and are recognized as across the world on international leaders in their areas of expertise.” patent strategy, filing and Ÿ Nitin Nair protection. Banana IP's Team of Senior Senior Partner Partners- Ÿ Somashekar Ramakrishna Nationally recognized telecom, Ÿ Vinita Radhakrishnan Senior Partner electronics, AI, and big data patent agent/attorney. Senior Partner Nationally recognized automotive, mechanical, robotics, and medical Worked as a patent agent and attorney Internationally recognized life device patent agent/attorney. for global Fortune 500 clients. sciences, pharma, and traditional medicine patent agent/attorney. Has significant experience working Instrumental in helping many in a leading US Patent Firm and companies mine, evaluate, protect, Has significant in-house experience UNIDO. and commercialize patents and in helping pharma companies inventions. 28 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

Ÿ Sanjeeth Hegde gained significant The Growth Quotient- business/commercial value from their Senior Partner IP by engaging BananaIP's attorneys. Some factors that helped BananaIP succeed are: Nationally recognized entertainment Overcoming the Challenges- law, IP licensing, and trademark Ÿ Their specialized technology attorney. During the firm's formative years, background combined with their first biggest challenge was the legal/patent expertise; Has significant US in-house lack of IP awareness among experience in tech licensing with companies and businesses in India. Ÿ Their ability to understand the Fortune 500 companies. The team overcame this through client's strategic business needs, extensive IP training and and identify possible IP-based Advises leading organizations on sensitization programs. Also, solutions to achieve the business branding, IP protection, and BananaIP's team has patent experts goals of clients; valuation. with a strong technology background, and it took some time Ÿ Their honesty, and dedication to Ÿ Madhav Rao for companies to understand the our client's cause; and value the firm could bring to the Senior Partner table. Ÿ The specialization, expertise, and experience of the core team and Strategic Partner & Chief Financial Later, several other firms emulated the value given by clients to Officer BananaIP's model of lawyers and advise services, and the opinions patent attorneys with strong of our Senior Partners. The Founding of BananaIP- technology backgrounds and specialization, and when they started Dr. Kalyan Kankanala's Message BananaIP Counsels started in 2004 competing with large firms, it took to the Newbies- from the entrepreneurship cell them some time to identify their (NSRCEL) of IIM, Bangalore, a areas of specialization and built “Take time to understand the market premier management institution in teams in specific technology and your specific niche in it. Once India. It was founded by two domains. Today, the firm is well you understand your biggest members and was initially known as known in the following domains: competitive advantage, build on it Brain League IP Services. As of date, aggressively before diversifying. the firm has more than 60 intellectual Ÿ AI and Robotics Once you prove your company's property attorneys and experts capabilities and potential, rest will offering highly specialized services Ÿ Health Care and Medical Devices follow. in different technology domains. Ÿ Automotive and Electric Mobility Don't give up too soon. The BananaIP is today recognized as one entrepreneurship ecosystem in India of the best IP firms in India. The firm Ÿ IT and Software has everything that will help you is known for its high-quality patent, succeed if you have a good idea, and trademark, open-source, Ÿ Biotech and Pharma can work it to suit market needs.” entertainment, eCommerce, and technology law services. It has over Ÿ Electronics and Telecom the years worked with more than 1, 000 clients, and has handled more Ÿ Entertainment than 10, 000 projects/files. It has specialized departments that offer Ÿ Education high-quality and highly specialized services in different fields/domains. Ÿ eCommerce Over the years, several clients have Ÿ Traditional Medicine Ÿ Agritech, Food, and Nutrition www.theenterpriseworld.com |29





Founder & Senior Partner , Almt Legal 32 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

SAMEER TAPIA Indian Expertise with International Capability Corporate law is a expertise In this interview with him, let us know field in law that focuses on more about his journey with the firm. issues like incorporation of companies, distributing the rights Kindly tell us about your journey to shareholders and directors, since the inception of the company? certain secretarial aspects of established corporate houses, I was born and raised in Mumbai as corporate deals and much more. also schooled and went to college. I Being a corporate lawyer requires moved to London UK, in 1996 and one to tread on each of these worked for a UK law firm. On 10th aspects very carefully. With an January 2000, I set up ALMT Legal ocean of opportunities in this field, which came to be the first Indian law corporate law has also posed its fair firm to be set up in the UK. We have share of challenges to any one grown exponentionally over the past venturing. 2.5 decades. Overcoming these challenges to Kindly brief us about the proactive raise a successful firm is Sameer founder/CEO of the company and Tapia, Founder and Senior his/her contribution towards Partner of Almt Legal, featuring company and Industry. for The Enterprise World's this issue of The Most Influential I am the founder and senior partner of Lawyers To Watch In 2022. ALMT Legal and the only named partner now yet with the firm. The firm www.theenterpriseworld.com |33

has seen a lot of change in the What are the major contributing discounts to bag work. We have a growth and strength of the firm and factors behind your company's standard by which we go by and at I have been able to sail with it over success? some point have been able to give them the past two decades as also with value for their services – which results the 2 year Covid period which The hard work and perseverance of the in satisfaction of the outcome of the affected not only us but the world at partners over the years and the matter. large ! commitment and dedication of the associates at all levels, and the old How do you see the company and the We have now come out of that as guard of staff who have been with us industry in the future ahead? well and we have been able to retain over two decades. A big Thank you to talent within the firm as also take them ! The firm stands tall as mentioned more associates and partners. earlier through its years of building an How do you motivate creativity and image and shape as also strength – Mention some of the awards, innovation in the workspace while given our growth and pattern. We have achievements, recognitions and maintaining a healthy work consolidated over the years and we clients' feedback that you feel are environment? continue to shine on even at 23 ! We all notable and valuable for the know that given the service industry we company. I for one has always believed in a work are in – it's a personalised service and life balance. I want the associates as one needs to toil to keep and stay at the The firm has received a number of also partner to come each day to the top. We strive to and hope to be there – accolades over the years as also office – for them wanting to come and right there at the TOP ! individuals and partners of the firm. give their solid hours of work rather The firm has over the past four than burning long hours and blending What would be your advice to the years has always ranked in its their home and work life balance budding entrepreneurs? corporate and litigation work which together. By giving them sufficient time has been very notable and received post work ( ie reasonable working hours I think as the years go by - budding the best firm award, litigation firm ) and weekends off ones efficiency is entrepreneurship or building a firm or of the year award, the Whos Who always higher as they come back the practice is only going to be more legal work award etc. next day fresh and to crack on with the difficult and competitive. One has to be day and work. If one works long hours with the times and learn to adopt and Kindly share your point of view fatigue is bound to set in and they are curve different areas of practice and be on the current scenario, major not able to deal with their domestic or with the need of the hour. WE all have challenges, and opportunities of work issues. At ALMT we are to prepare for AI - artificial intelligence, the Indian Legal Sector. compassionate and sensitive to which is creeping into human work and individuals time off. form of life. Wonder where it will end. The legal sector has seen a sea of ?! change when it comes to law firms Share your experience and brief us and practices by individuals or GC. about the tactics and strategies to As long as we are able to yet The profession is more challenging build long term customer discriminate and decide from the heart to take on, be a part of the firm as relationship. when REQUIRED ! we will be ahead also be GC where you are expected of the curve. to be able to give spot advise to the We have always believed in brand corporate or multinational and just recall, this being said that once a client that the law firms can endorse your comes to the firm – it becomes a client advise. for life. We have them coming back to us for all their legal work and partake With regard to law firms, the sense for and for their personal work, being of loyalty has sailed away, there is private client work and practice as we no space for compassion or call it. We have been able to retain our feelings. One has to be cutting edge top tier clients as also friends – We have competitive and above all bream been price sensitive as also firm in not with knowledge of law. sliding with our fees by giving huge 34 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2



Founder, The Enviro-Legal Defence Firm 36 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

SHRI SANJAY UPADHYAY The Environment Saviour Dealing with natural environment and to provide services to calamities now-a-days have those who got affected by the become a challenge for man- environmental calamities. Sanjay kind. though the reason behind Upadhyay is such a personality who frequently happening natural established a firm for the same. Here disasters if researched carefully are we will have a look on how the firm not actually natural. Reason behind got established and its further journey. such things are we mankind ourselves. Although we have In this interview with Sanjay renewable and non-renewable Upadhyay, Founder of The Enviro- resources. Yet regaining the lost Legal Defence Firm, we shall know balance of nature is must. We have more about his journey and personality. been using each and every nature gifted things since long time. Now its Kindly tell us about your journey time to think over this very seriously since the inception of the company? is needed utmost. The Enviro-Legal Defence Firm, was While doing any of the project no established in the year 1999 with the harm should be done to mother aim of creating a professionally nature is must. Indian judiciary have managed environmental law firm for N number of laws amended on this the first time in India after my issue. Here we have such a saviour productive stint at WWF-India. Never who thoroughly thought about before had environmental law been institutionalised as a discipline by www.theenterpriseworld.com |37

professionals, based on services and around the country as well as in the essential ingredients for success. fee. It has been a roller coaster journey region. Honesty of approach, rigor and most to establish India's first Environmental importantly, believing in your team are Law Firm with my Late Partner, Videh Brief us about the major challenges the reasons why we have attained the Upadhyay. your company has faced. little that we have. ELDF's journey, like any other start- One of the earliest challenges the law How do you see the company and the up, went through its crests and troughs, firm faced was how to build industry in the future ahead? trying to convince clients that credibility in a field and an institution environmental law services are not to that never existed before. While there I see the enviro legal discipline as a be seen only as a pro bono exercise but were stalwarts as individuals fighting game changer in the future. The reason also have merit in saving environment for environment such as Mr. M.C. being that environment cuts across and helping those who are affected by Mehta at the Apex Court, however, every aspect of development and environmental decisions and those there was no institutional therefore, the knowledge of whose compliance standards have to be underpinning to such exclusive environment and development in law improved with specialist inputs. ELDF efforts. It was clear to me that if will be in huge demand till the country therefore embarked upon different environment and development related is growing with the pace that it has approaches to the field of environment litigation has to sustain itself, an achieved. As long as there is and development law as we gained institutional underpinning is a must. development, the sustainability of experience. This gave birth to India's first environment will always be in demand. environmental law firm, the Enviro One of the key things of sustainability The initial phase was more advisory Legal Defence Firm. is to see the applicability of law itself and consultancy services which also which ensures sustainable development. included training and capacity building The second major challenge was to Therefore, professionals in this field of a variety of stakeholders and convince people who approached that will be in huge demand for the next professionals. It also resulted in they are clients and they need to pay several decades. Anyone who is numerous publications, field visits to fees for the services rendered. This interested in seeing cutting edge work understand ground contexts and a was a challenge because at the cross section of field and law, this variety of policy interventions in the environmental lawyering was largely is the field to be in. field of forests, environment, wildlife, seen as a pro bono exercise and not as biodiversity, coastal management to a professional discipline those days. It What would be your advice to the name a few. This approach was also continues to be seen as a side budding entrepreneurs? punctuated with legal interventions in profession where lawyers have to courtrooms, appellate authorities and lessen the burden of guilt of money My advice to budding legal constitutional courts. making to do certain pro publico entrepreneurs is to see the potential of work. However, it is important to niche areas and key areas of the The litigation phase increased underline that this is a serious country's development. Environmental exponentially with the establishment of business and complying with law is only one of them. It is therefore the National Green Tribunal where we environmental norms actually makes my humble advice that the initial phase continue to represent all those who are good business sense too. of entrepreneurship has to be goal affected from every perspective. I'm driven and not necessarily money happy to inform that the journey What are the major contributing driven. For every successful model, continues and ELDF has managed to factors behind your company's money has no option but to follow. This create a niche for itself as a domain success? is true for legal entrepreneurship as leader and has been fortunate to well. intervene in a number of policy and Any professional agency must run on legislative processes in the domain of established processes and therefore expertise be it wildlife, forest, ELDF too has a detailed process biodiversity, medicinal plants, coastal driven approach. Updation with new laws, to name a few. The journey developments, ground level continues with a group of dedicated understanding and constant professionals and a strong presence networking with decision makers are 38 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2







Partner, AKM - AK Mylsamy & Associates LLP 42 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

SUBATHRA MYLSAMY Promising Consistency and Effective Solutions Visionary entrepreneurs are Kindly tell us about your journey usually the first ones to forage since the inception of the company. into foreign markets, looking for the expansion of their ideas and A full-service corporate law firm, A K gain new experiences. One thing that Mylsamy & Associates LLP is reputed proves as a hurdle in the process is the for offering customized legal services prevalence of International Business and strategic advice to its clients that Laws. It is very important for suit their legal needs and purposes. The entrepreneurs to have appropriate firm promises consistency and long- knowledge about these laws, because it term solutions in a timely and effective helps them understand how a specific manner. Originally founded as a sole country runs their businesses and what proprietorship by Mr. A.K Mylsamy, it are the loopholes. And only a good became a partnership firm with the lawyer can alert you of its presence. joining of Subathra Mylsamy. In 2010, the Firm formally became a Limited Featuring for The Enterprise World's Liability Partnership (LLP). Alongside this issue of The Most Influential the partners, the firm is guided by an Lawyers to Watch in 2022 is Subathra illustrious advisory board. Mylsamy, an International Business Law expert. After doing my bachelors in Dr. Ambedkar University, Madras, I In this interview with her, let us find completed my LLM in the University out more about her journey. of Manchester. Despite being my father's firm, I joined as a junior www.theenterpriseworld.com |43

associate and worked one step at a time businesses operated all over the world. What are the major contributing factors behind your company's to become the partner. As a partner, I Our firm quickly put in place a business success? strived to corporatize the firm and continuity plan by using technology – “Quality” has been the core of our services from inception. Providing ensure its management in a virtual court hearings, video conferences lasting solutions to each client in itself speaks of quality services offered by professional manner. with clients, organizing webinars and the LLP. At workplace, we on board and retain young talented Brief us about the major challenges leveraging AI to complete regular professionals. Our interns / young your company has faced. documentation and contracts. This lawyers, partners and our experienced proactive nature enabled providing Like for everyone else, our biggest continued value-added services to clients challenge was during the Covid 19 including the online monthly newsletter pandemic. It changed the way that and the IBC web portal. 44 | J U L Y 2 0 2 2

advisory board collectively with unique and fool proof legal contribution in achieving success for brainstorm to provide effective fool solutions to our clients. the client as well as the Firm. proof solutions which are customized to each client. The energy of the Share your experience and brief us We value communication and young coupled with the experience of about the tactics and strategies to understand its importance in the our senior members ensures that the build long term customer success of an organization. We LLP offers quality legal solutions. relationship. endeavour to communicate in a timely, responsive, honest and respectful The form strives to follow the four P's In the legal business since 1964, the manner – both within our firm and to – Practice, Patience, Perseverance and firm has become the preferred choice our clients. Personal relations. We believe this has for professional legal services across contributed to the success of the firm. corporates and individuals. The firm How do you see the company and the Staying updated with current laws and offers legal and advisory services to a industry in the future ahead? a lot of hard work will take you a long wide range of industries from way in life. Maintaining a personal commercial, real estate, hospitality, At AKM LLP, we always lookout for connect with each of our clients is key healthcare, educational to finance and new avenues and opportunities. Being to the growth of our firm. related activities. a Corporate law firm, we have forayed into areas such as taxation. How do you motivate creativity and We firmly believe that the ability to innovation in the workspace while build and sustain long term The ability to be on the learning curve maintaining a healthy work relationships with clients is through forms the core of any professional environment? constantly adding value to their career, especially a career in law. operations. An integral component of Collective brainstorming and constant Innovation has been the backbone of “value addition” is the ability to updation of law keep us going as AKM. The firm has been keeping proactively scan the environment and individuals and a team. Together with pace with the changing times by evaluate the implications of an ever- technology is keeping pace with familiarizing and aligning its services changing legal framework and changing laws and changing times. with new technologies. legislation. The Firm believes in giving back to the AKM LLP powered by AKM The firm's reputation is guided by its legal fraternity and hence plans to Research and Analytics Private core values – Integrity, Innovation, initiate training programs for young Limited (AKMRA) was the first to Collaboration and Communication. lawyers in the future by going beyond launch an exclusive knowledge-based the theory of law and inculcating portal on the law of insolvency and We believe in integrity in values, ethics and professionalism bankruptcy laws. The portal professional and personal lives – which will make them a cut above the www.ibccases.com is a one stop shop adhering to high moral standards in rest. AKM offers a regular online and repository for laws, rules, regulations, professional advice and offline internship program. The amendments, precedents and analysis communication. budding lawyers are treated as of all provisions related to insolvency professionals and every effort is made and bankruptcy code, available to all. Innovation is synonymous with our at AKM to impart the best training to Firm. We encourage our employees, the interns. With its headquarters in We endeavoured to integrate law and associates to come up with unique yet Chennai and offices in Mumbai, creativity. Thus, was born the “Law fool proof ideas and perspective(s). Bangalore and Coimbatore., AKM LLP Tree” - an online monthly newsletter Be it our quirky online monthly plans to spread its wings which was totally away from the run journal, “The Law Tree” or the one internationally soon. of the mill legal newsletters. An stop insolvency data bank, initiative where art meets law for, we ibccases.com, thinking out of the box at AKM believe that thinking out of is our core mantra. the box is a common thread between art and law. Professionals working or associated with our firm are constantly It is this freedom to think creatively collaborating as a team to maximize that motivates the team to come up synergy of their combined www.theenterpriseworld.com |45