CAM bags Singapore practice licence – and NDA’s office head

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) has received its foreign law practice licence to operate in Singapore, and brought on board Vivek Kathpalia, a former partner and head of Nishith Desai Associates’ (NDA) Singapore office.

“We are not here simply to business develop, or be a branch office” said Kathpalia, who will serve as CEO and partner. “Our vision is to be the first Indian law firm with a substantial presence in Singapore.”

Kathpalia moved from India to Singapore in 2007, and has spent 14 years in the Lion City. “Vivek is one of the most experienced Indian qualified lawyers based in Singapore,” said Cyril Shroff, the managing partner of CAM. “He has a diverse set of skills across practices. Above all he is very entrepreneurial. There is great chemistry with [he and] CAM.”

Shroff said the firm had no immediate plans to open an office in another country, but that Singapore “will not be the last” international office.

Kathpalia said he had been privileged to have had a ringside view of the rapid development of Singapore in the past decade. “As one of the first Indian qualified lawyers practising Indian law in Singapore, it was thrilling to be able to develop new markets, such as Singapore and Japan, and build deep relationships in the region,” he said.