Ameet Datta, a senior partner at Saikrishna & Associates has branched out to establish his own firm, ADP Law Offices, bringing eight associates with him.
Speaking exclusively to India Business Law Journal, Datta who spent 13 years at Saikrishna & Associates and has since grown into a national-level firm, said, “I felt it was time to truly explore the opportunities available for lean, agile and focused practices.”
He added that Saikrishna Rajagopal, founder and managing partner of Saikrishna & Associates, was supportive of his decision. “Although my departure is bittersweet for me and Sai as well, we both agreed that this is for the best,” Datta said.
ADP Law Offices will focus on “dispute resolution, advisory, prosecution, transactions, policy reform, trade, regulatory compliance, and data protection — with a sharp specialist focus on the tech, media, and telecom sectors”, he said
Datta, who has nearly three decades of experience, began his career at Anand and Anand, and honed his skills further at Luthra and Luthra.
“Over my 27 years as a lawyer, I have expanded my focus areas to include policy reform for the tech, media and telecom space, and trade, regulatory and data protection expertise, primarily because of the clients and sectors I have worked in,” Datta told IBLJ.
“My appreciation of the tech media and telecom space has allowed me to develop an understanding of the sector’s opportunities and challenges, which in turn allows me to support clients with their navigation challenges.”
Datta said that despite his departure from Saikrishna & Associates, the firm would always be a home and safe harbour. “Sai will forever remain that larger-than-life mentor, friend and guide to me. My exit has been absolutely remarkable, which, for me, reflects the kind of man Sai is: an incredible leader and an amazing friend.”
Datta reveals that his wife Monica Datta, a partner at Saikrishna, will not be joining him, and will continue working at the firm. “Monica has built a practice that fits neatly into Saikrishna & Associates. She has an independent standing as a very respected counsel in the commercial transactions and advisory space.”
The new ADP team will comprise senior associates Jasman Dhanoa and Rishikaa, who specialise in trade, regulatory compliance, and data protection, with two younger colleagues in tow. Separately, senior associate Riddima Sharma will assist on litigation matters alongside associates, Ayush Hoonka, Naimish Tewari, and Sapna Singh.
“We will add two more external hires to this team on the prosecution side in the first week of March,” adds the new founder.
