South Asia - India

A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman’s ‘formidable’ dedicated India team, based primarily in Singapore and London, runs the gamut of contentious and non-contentious mandates, with notable strength in capital markets, private equity, and banking and finance. Acting for domestic clients and foreign investors in India, the team has a deep specialist knowledge of the Indian market and is particularly well known for handling direct lending transactions. Sheila Ahuja takes point on contentious matters and the ’meticulous’ Pallavi Gopinath Aney is the key contact for capital markets, while managing partner Gautam Narasimhan leads on the banking and finance side. Harsh Pais, in London, is the key name for corporate and M&A. May 2023 saw Singapore-based Rishi Hindocha, the leader of the firm’s India restructuring and insolvency practice, promoted to partner.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'I have had the pleasure of collaborating and working with Sheila Ahuja and her team from Allen & Overy LLP. The manner in which the team approaches a matter and seamlessly works between several moving pieces is truly impressive and commendable. The team always keeps the client's interests at the forefront and provides effective solutions.'
  • 'It has been a lovely experience working with Sheila. Her domain knowledge and team management make her a stand-out amongst her peers. She is always available for her clients and strives towards effectively insulating them from any exposure while effectively countering any legal actions.'

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Work highlights

  • Advised the mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to the debt financing for the leveraged buyout of Ambuja Cements Limited and ACC Limited, entities listed on the NSE in India, by the Adani Group for a purchase price of up to approximately USD10.5b.
  • Advised JM Financial Limited, DAM Capital Advisors Limited, IIFL Securities Limited and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) Private Limited as the underwriters on the Regulation S/Rule 144A IPO by Avalon Technologies Limited, a leading fully integrated electronic manufacturing services company based in India.

Abbreviated data is displayed for this firm.