Rajiv Luthra, a prominent Indian lawyer and founder of Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, passed away on 10 May at the age of 65.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform of the demise of our beloved founder and managing partner – Rajiv K Luthra,” said a statement from Luthra and Luthra. “A visionary, philanthropist, a benevolent soul and a heart full of love and forgiveness, Mr Luthra was an accomplished lawyer and an incredible human … He will be remembered for his magnanimity, ethics, leadership and larger-than-life personality and will be greatly missed by all.”
Born in Delhi on 1 August 1957, Mr Luthra completed his law degree from Delhi University. He went on to establish Luthra and Luthra in 1989. The firm grew to become one of the largest and most respected law firms in the country, with a team of almost 400 lawyers at its peak.
Best known for his work in corporate law and project finance, Mr Luthra saw his law firm as an extension of his family. In a 2022 interview with India Business Law Journal, he said: “Everybody in the firm is my family … This will be an institution that you will all be proud of.” He also spoke of his succession plans. “I’m not going to be there forever … Therefore, I am making a succession plan with second in line and third in line and then will guide the system further. That is what I’m doing now.”
Prior to embarking on his legal career, Mr Luthra studied accountancy and also set up an adventure tourism company. He was an active supporter of The Paani Foundation, an NGO focused on reducing the effects of droughts in the state of Maharashtra, and a keen advocate for sustainability. He had set a goal for the firm to become carbon neutral by 2025 and phase out the use of single-use plastic at its offices.
Upon news of Mr Luthra’s death, tributes began pouring in from members of the legal profession. “RIP #rajivluthra,” tweeted senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi. “Lived life king size … large hearted, lived in style.”
Mr Luthra had been one of India’s most high-profile lawyers for many years and is recognised in India Business Law Journal’s A-List as one of the country’s Legal Icons.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
Rajiv Luthra’s 2022 interview with India Business Law Journal
The patriarch
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For more stories about Rajiv Luthra, visit law.asia.
