DMD Advocates

The firm: DMD Advocates is a leading full-service law firm in India with focus on solutions and results through a unique holistic approach that blends its expertise and decades of experience in five core practice areas – litigation and dispute resolution, corporate, taxation (direct and indirect), regulatory,  and intellectual property rights.

The firm is result of a merger between two established law firms: Dutt & Menon in New Delhi, founded by Ms Anuradha Dutt and Ms Vijayalakshmi Menon and Dunmorr Sett in Mumbai, founded by Ms Fereshte D Sethna.

With close to four decades of extensive multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional experience, the firm provides a wide range of legal, regulatory and advisory services to a global clientele, including leading Indian and multinational companies, business groups, banks and financial institutions, public sector undertakings, and some of the most sought after Fortune 100, Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies.

The unique client-focused approach, coupled with a high degree of responsiveness, keeps the firm at the forefront and involved in the country’s headline litigation, arbitration and transactions. An experienced team structure and a pool of more than 75 multi-specialists allow the firm to deliver quality solutions with maximum partner attention and expert advice.

The firm believes in constructive partnership and collaboration, and works as an extension of clients’ in-house legal teams, leveraging its expertise to deliver high-quality legal and business advice. The firm is often called upon to ascertain legal risks, devise legal strategies, structure solutions and resolve conflicts for high-stake matters.

The firm has working relationships with global firms and has been involved in significant international arbitration and transactions. DMD handles cases at renowned arbitration councils including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association, Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague, Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC), and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). DMD has extensive experience in international arbitrations relating to Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs).

Additionally, DMD has vast experience in cross-border transactions. DMD has been engaged in launching investment funds internationally, assisting in structuring and closing investments by private equity and venture capital firms in India, assisting with cross-border mergers and acquisitions, helping with corporate restructuring involving global assets, and advising on international project financing and capital markets transactions.

Areas of practice
Litigation and dispute resolution: litigation in courts, forums and tribunals; domestic and international arbitrations; BITs and international treaty arbitration; corporate and commercial litigation; competition; and industrial and employment litigation

International litigation and alternate dispute resolution: cross-border, multi-sectoral litigation; international arbitration, conciliation and mediation; international corporate white-collar crime; forensic investigations; and maritime-based litigation

Corporate and commercial: M&A – domestic and cross-border; capital markets (including IPOs); investment funds (private equity, venture capital and hedge funds); corporate finance; project finance; structured finance (including asset reconstruction companies); banking and NBFCs; joint ventures and foreign investments; insolvency and bankruptcy; corporate re-organisations and restructuring; and international trade.

Taxation: domestic and international taxation (direct and indirect); GST, sales tax, VAT, service tax, customs duties, entry tax, excise duties and stamp duties; tax litigation (direct & indirect); and transfer pricing

Intellectual property: IP litigation; IP advisory and due diligence; commercialization (licensing, assignments and technology transfer); drafting, filing and prosecution of trademark and patent applications; copyright registration; and portfolio management and post registration procedures

Regulatory compliance: Reserve Bank of India; Enforcement Directorate; SEBI; National Green Tribunal; direct & indirect compliance; and enterprise-wide compliance checks

Competition law: merger control; competition analysis, filing & compliance; and antitrust litigation

Real estate: sale & purchase; commercial leases & licenses; conveyancing; property management & maintenance contracts; mortgages; investigations of land title; and advice on structuring real estate investments

Forensics, investigations & due diligence

Labour & employment laws

Trusts & estates