Rishiraj Baruah
AZB & PartnersAZB & Partners‘ ’formidable’ aviation team has significant expertise acting for lessors, financiers, airlines, manufacturers, and airports on the full range of aviation-related matters. Anand Shah leads the practice and is a seasoned aviation expert, handling multi-jurisdictional regulatory civil aviation matters, aircraft finance, and aircraft deregistrations and repossessions; he is supported by senior associate Rishiraj Baruah. The firm strengthened its transactional offering with the 2022 arrival of Haseena Tapia Shahpurwalla, formerly at Gagrats. Shahpurwalla is dual-qualified in England & Wales and has significant experience advising airlines on aircraft and engine lease transactions. Another new addition to the team is Sarah Rufus, who joined from an in-house position at an airline in 2023. All lawyers mentioned are based in Mumbai.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A great team with strength in depth. One of the premier go-to firms in India. Versatile and deep knowledge of the Indian aviation market.'
- 'Anand Shah is our go-to partner, very commercial and attentive. Technically excellent and has grown a superb team of aviation associates and with the addition of their new partner Sarah Rufus makes a formidable team.'
- 'The AZB team is a breath of fresh air in the challenging jurisdiction. Very responsive, and provides consistently sharp, commercial advice in a user-friendly and timely manner. The AZB team is our preferred and go-to counsel.'
- 'Rishiraj Baruah: super responsive and user-friendly counsel. Provides direct advice and background to each aspect of a transaction, always provides a commercial, workable solution, and will preempt issues that may arise. Rishi knows his stuff and is a great negotiator to have on your side.'
Key clients
- Aercap
- TATA Sons Private Limited
- TATA SIA Airlines Limited (Vistara)
- Air India Limited
- Air India Express Limited
- AISATS
- InterGlobe Aviation Limited (Indigo)
- Zurich International Airport AG and Yamuna International Airport Private Limited
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Bank of America Leasing
- Shannon Engine Support Ltd.
- Sculptor Capital Investments, LLC
- Credit Suisse AG
- Willis Lease Finance Corporation
- National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Anand Shah
AZB & PartnersPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Anand Shah