AZB & Partners fields a market-leading fintech and digital offering that stands out for its strong track record advising tech companies, banks, NBFCs, and investors on large-scale transactions, M&A, and joint ventures. The group, hailed by clients for its 'crisp and accurate advice,' also regularly advises on regulatory requirements and compliance as well as product launches. Ashwath Rau heads the practice and takes point on high-value transactions in the space. Rau works alongside Vipul Jain, a key name for private equity investment transactions, and Aditya Alok, who has extensive experience advising on licensing and compliance work. Also in the core team is Saras Muzumdar, who ably assists on M&A and private equity matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I recommend Saras Muzumdar.’

  • ‘AZB provides the best in class services in the area of fintech and finance and we benefit extremely from their expertise.’

  • ‘Crisp understanding of the problems and issues, of the various nuances in a given problem - they break down multiple problems and then solve them one by one - with crisp and accurate advice.’

  • ‘The team has become a trusted partner over the years, and is always able to step in our shoes to proactively consider potential legal issues.’

  • ‘Vipul Jain is quick in understanding client concerns and gives practical advice.’

  • 'The team has amazing potential in terms of depth, practical application, knowledge, on time response to client and solution led approach.'

  • 'Vipul Jain is a man with great attention to detail, passion, legal acumen; he follows up and takes pains to take client issue's to logical conclusions within the norms of the law of the land. Saras Majumdar recently joined but is positive in his approach whenever we've dealt with him.'

Key clients

  • Housing Development Financial Corporation Ltd
  • BlackRock Inc.
  • AU Small Finance Bank Ltd.
  • IDFC First Bank Ltd
  • Invesco Ltd.
  • Visa Inc.
  • Adyen NV and Adyen India Technology Services Pvt Ltd.
  • Airbnb Inc.
  • Flywire (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
  • Global Exchange Group

Work highlights

  • Advised Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited on its approx. USD60bn amalgamation with HDFC Bank Limited.
  • Advising BlackRock Inc. on the proposed 50:50 asset management joint venture with Jio Financial Services Ltd., which will offer mutual fund products, portfolio management services and AIFs.
  • Advising BlackRock on its proposed 50:50 joint venture with JFS to undertake wealth management and broking business in India.

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.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ashwath Rau

Other key lawyers

Aditya Alok, Saras Muzumdar, Vipul Jain