With bench strength in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, AZB & Partners acts for a roster of prominent clients, such as Google, Uber and Mercedes, in high-profile, cross-border competition matters, with merger control and enforcement work prominent in the group’s workload. The team is led by the trio of Bharat Budholia, who has an impressive track record in handling merger control mandates; Hemangini Dadwal, ‘a thorough and very prompt professional’; and Ram Kumar Poornachandran, who acts for Indian and international clients in the digital, healthcare, energy and consumer goods sectors. Gaurav Bansal is noted for his strength in handling merger filings, often for clients in the automotive, aviation and telecoms sectors. Samir Gandhi and Nikita Agarwal are key names to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘A wonderful team. Very prompt and understands clients' needs and requirements well. Gives pragmatic advice in the simplest way possible.'
‘Hemangini Dadwal is fully up-to-date with the latest developments and has a worldwide view.'
‘Very enthusiastic team and most importantly, highly supportive and responsive.'
‘Bharat Budholia is one of the finest lawyers we have worked with so far. His reliability, timely assistance and very friendly client management services makes him stand out from the other lawyers. His expertise in the subject and professional advice given with a clean understanding of the client's business are his strengths. ’

Key clients

Google LLC
Tata Group
Vistara
Star India / Disney Broadcasting
GSK Plc
Board of Cricket Control in India
Holcim Group
Shell Overseas Investments B.V.
Bain Capital
Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited
EQT AB
Vista Equity Partners and Elliott Investment Management L.P.
Rane Brake Lining
Haldiram Foods
TPG
CleanMax Solar

Work highlights

Advising Google on abuse of dominance investigations concerning Android TV, Android smartphones and news publishers.
Advising Tata Group on the competition law aspects of the merger of Vistara into AIL, the subsequent acquisition of shares in the merged entity and Tata Sons Private Limited, and the acquisition of shares by Singapore Airlines Limited in the merged entity.
Representing the Star Group in proceedings before the Supreme Court, Kerala High Court, and the CCI concerning abuse of dominance claims and anti-competitive agreements.