Dua Associates

The firm: Established in 1986, Dua Associates is one of India’s  prominent  law firms, serving a wide spectrum of clients drawn from several Fortune 500 companies, publicly-listed organisations, public-sector enterprises, privately owned businesses as well as multi-national companies. With full- service offices in  eight key metropolitan cities in India, Dua Associates is widely recognised for its depth of experience and the  knowledge of its  over 250 legal professionals including 73 partners and counsels. 

The firm recognizes the support of some long standing clients such as Dow Chemical, McDonalds, Boeing, Dell, Fourth Partner Energy, CapitaLand, Estee Lauder, Brookfield Asset Management, TVS Motors, TAFE, Tata, ICICI, L&T, Gillette, IFC, Deutsche Bank and GE Healthcare among several others, who have been associated with it during its 30-year journey.

The firm’s expertise in complex transactions involving M&A, foreign direct investment, private equity,  venture capital , infrastructure projects , project financing , banking and corporate deals as well as litigation, arbitration , regulatory and tax structuring issues , is widely recognized. Under its real estate  and urban development practice, the firm is credited with some significantly large deals. Additionally, several partners of the firm have also been individually ranked and awarded for their stellar contributions to their respective practice areas.  

New domains: Dua Associates remains at the forefront of helping global organizations navigate fresh Indian investment opportunities. Underscoring its resilience and future-readiness, the firm has additionally created specialized practice groups, comprising of  senior leadership team members  and domain experts, to focus on emerging opportunities, in sectors like :

Healthcare: Dua Associates is leveraging its in-depth understanding and experience in assisting prominent pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to further customize its services for clients in this sector.

Data privacy and cyber-security: The firm’s specialized team backed by legal and sector-specific experts and industry stalwarts, has stayed ahead of the curve in dealing with techno-legal issues, privacy and data security-related enforcement trends and new laws and regulations.

Aviation, defence and space: The firm’s practice focuses on various aspects of international civil aviation and domestic civil aviation industry including airport disinvestment, modernization and privatization.

In defence, the firm has advised OEMs to technology providers and suppliers on various issues besides negotiating joint ventures with foreign investment firms.

With the recent opening up of India’s space program to the private sector, the firm has focused on this space opportunity – having subject-specific expertise to advise clients in this domain.

Technology, media and telecommunications: In addition to the technology and regulatory advisory, the firm provides high level strategic advice on the current concerns around 5-G implementation, spectrum related issues and related matters.

Key practice areas
Mergers and acquisitions: This highly ranked practice, combines the firm’s rich international experience and expertise with Indian domestic laws / regulations, to devise effective structures for M&A.

Private equity and venture capital: With a wealth of experience in representing both domestic and foreign funds as well as prospective investee companies and their promoters, the firm has a proven capacity and track record for providing assistance in every phase of the investment lifecycle, from fund creation to investment execution and exit strategy, across a spectrum of industry sectors.

Corporate and commercial: The firm advises on a broad spectrum of matters from general corporate advice, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, company formation to regulations and securities laws.

Real estate and urban development: The advisory services to clients include institutional investors in all aspects of transactions such as financing, acquisitions, joint development, disposition and leasing matters and complex title due diligences.

Privatization and disinvestment: The firm has advised Government and public undertakings in areas like competitive bidding, strategic sale and disinvestment feasibility and strategy.

Projects/infrastructure/ energy: The firm has substantial sector-specific experience in energy, both fossil-based and renewables, airports, oil & gas, SEZs, ports, and transportation, amongst others.

Banking, finance, insolvency and insurance:  A wide ranging practice in corporate finance, banking and project finance and representing funds, NBFCs, financial institutions and project developers in secured and unsecured transactions, makes it a significant one for the firm.

Capital markets: The firm has rich experience in equity, capital and derivative markets and has advised private parties and the Government and public sector undertakings on Qualified Institutions Placements, IPOs and matters relating to India security laws.

Dispute resolution/litigation and arbitration: The firm’s highly ranked active and robust litigation and arbitration practice covers civil, commercial, tax, regulatory, criminal and constitutional matters.

  International trade and anti-dumping: This practice team assists domestic and international clients in international trade and customs-law matters and guides them through investigations or enforcement programs with respect to anti-dumping and WTO issues.

Intellectual property rights: Clients are advised by the firm regarding identification, development, protection and enforcement of their IPR portfolios, including trademarks, patents, copyrights and cyber-laws besides offering prosecution services before relevant IPR registering authorities

Antitrust and competition law: The firm assists  in merger control assessments and filings, abuse of dominant positions, cartel investigations, undertaking competition compliance programmes and training, evaluating impact on day to day business operations as well as longer-term business strategies, anti-competitive agreements and defining contractual arrangements.

Taxation: The tax planning services offered relate to establishing a corporate business presence in India, besides assistance in formulating tax-efficient structures consistent with the prevailing tax regime

Labour and employment: Specialized advice is rendered on labour matters, employee relations and compliance with the various prevalent labour, industrial and immigration laws including regulatory compliance, statutory contributions and registrations thereunder.

Anti-bribery and white-collar crime: The firm advises and supports clients on issues related to anti-bribery, white collar crime, corporate governance failures and frauds, adopting an integrated and multidisciplinary approach.

Food and beverages: The firm has expertise on the complex laws and regulations that govern food products, including packaging, labeling and product specific advertisements.