Tough times are continuing at Lumiere Law as three partners, along with their teams, leave to join DMD Advocates, while partner Dhruv Gupta heads to Trilegal.
Vihang Virkar, Monika Deshmukh and Ayesha Rai, along with their teams, have joined DMD’s corporate practice in Mumbai and Delhi.
The fragmentation of Lumiere comes in the wake of the exit of its managing partner Probal Bhaduri who left to start EVA Law.
Virkar – a seasoned corporate lawyer with 21-plus years of expereince – will be a lead partner in Mumbai for DMD’s corporate practice. He has advised both Indian and multinational clients on M&A, corporate financing (structured/asset financing), corporate restructuring and issues pertaining to governance, FDI and SEBI laws. He is also a notable aviation law specialist.
“Monika, Ayesha and I have been working together for over 12 years now, and we have developed a notable practice in corporate, commercial and aviation laws. After a remarkable nine years with Lumiere Law Partners, we are looking forward to integrating our practices with DMD Advocates,” said Virkar.
Deshmukh has more than 21 years of experience, and specialises in M&A, private equity, venture capital, joint ventures, securities law and general corporate advisory.
She has led and advised on a variety of transactions across a range of sectors, including infrastructure, pharma, technology, hospitality, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, telecommunications and logistics.
Rai is a corporate finance lawyer with more than 15 years of experience. She specialises in aviation law and her extensive expertise covers aircraft and engine financing, sale-purchase transactions, aircraft/helicopter/engine leasing, and technical and commercial contracts for scheduled and non-scheduled operators.
Fereshte Sethna, founder and managing partner of DMD’s Mumbai office, said: “I am pleased to welcome Vihang, Monika, Ayesha, and their teams to DMD. Their rich experience and expertise in corporate laws and stellar reputation in aviation law complement our practice.”
Gupta, who has joined Trilegal as a partner in the Delhi office, will contribute to the firm’s extensive tax practice. He will focus on international trade and customs-related issues, particularly in trade remedy investigations. This addition brings the total partnership strength at Trilegal to 116.
