AI Magazine Issue 3 2018

Acquisition International - Issue 3 2018 51 A Young and Hungry Law Firm “Throughout the law firm, staff are predominantly young and hungry, and we value that. The ratio of associates to partners at our firm is significantly below that of other Indian law firms, and we prefer it that way. Our young lawyers are also distinctly ‘digital’ and bring a certain ‘real-time’ perspicacity to the table which we appreciate. Also, I feel that they are more open to constructive dialogue, both inside and outside the firm, and their enthusiasm is infectious. “To quote a very small example, we encourage our lawyers to explore new regulatory regimes and global events, but also to conduct and attend internal legal education sessions for the firm on a weekly basis. Also, we involve our lawyers whenever we are discussing the growth plans of the firm, so that everyone gets an equal platform to suggest improvements. The only constant is change, and only dialogue can help us acclimatise well to such changes – but also to constantly innovate and evolve. “The role of the more senior lawyers, in turn, is to mentor our younger lawyers, ensuring that they receive the necessary training and supervision to match the firm’s reputation for meticulous attention to detail, high quality and excellence in client responsiveness. Many of our senior lawyers are experts in their respective fields, bringing a rich mix of domestic and international experience – having worked in several international financial centres outside India, including Hong Kong, London, New York and Singapore. You can imagine how diverse and inclusive our firm is, and that is the primary foundation of our growth story.” Within the legal industry, there are changes which are arising every single day, and Samvad must adapt to these changes in order to stay at the top of the legal industry. Regarding the global corporate landscape, there are many developments which Vineetha foresees, and she predicts how these advances will impact on the company. “Looking ahead, the geo-political centres are shifting, and India is among the largest hubs for offshore Private Equity and Venture Capital investments. India also anticipates generous capital through regional allocations from global and Asia-Pacific- focused funds and international development banks, and has ambitious plans for building and amplifying its sovereign wealth funds, including the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund). To match the growing needs and plans for capital growth in India, existing regulatory regimes are being extensively revamped and liberalised, including the norms for foreign exchange controls, corporate governance, digitisation and financial services. Technological advancements are also changing the shape of the industry, be it self-driven cars or prepaid wallet systems or artificial intelligence. As an active enabler of such businesses, we welcome all these changes that promise to drive growth in India. “There is alsomuchmore international harmonisation now than in the recent past. International authorities are now more vigilant in tracking down tax evasion, corruption, market manipulation and cross-border insolvency. In view of these developments, we have been developing core competencies from an antitrust/anti-corruption law perspective and from a dispute resolution/ enforcement directorate perspective. Our insolvency and white-collar crime practice is already quite robust. We aim to continue providing 360-degree cutting-edge advice and support in all these spheres.” Ultimately, the primary goal for Samvad is to grow steadily in the right direction. Being selected as the Most Influential Woman in Private Equity Investments 2018 within India in AI’s Global Excellence Awards, is a nudge in the right direction for the firm’s future growth. “Moving forward is certainly our primary goal – growing steadily but surely in scope and proficiency. Private Equity, Venture Capital and M&A are always sectors that are underserved in a rapidly growing economy like India, and we would certainly be focusing on that. However, the sectors attracting PE/ M&A – such as social infrastructure, clean energy, agricultural innovation and electronic marketplaces – are always expanding, and we take a keen interest in foreseeing and supporting these trends. Our banking and financing practice along with our more recently established insolvency/ bankruptcy practice is also going strong.”