Top 10 Best Legal Firms in India 2023
A legal firm, also known as a law firm, is a business entity that is formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service provided by a law firm is to advise clients (individuals or corporations) about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent their clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other matters in which legal advice and assistance are sought.
Law firms come in various types and sizes:
Sole Proprietorships: In these firms, a single attorney handles all types of legal work.
Small or Boutique Law Firms: These firms typically have two to ten lawyers who can provide expertise in a specific area of law, like immigration, family law, or personal injury law.
Full-Service or Large Law Firms: These firms, often multinational, have a large number of lawyers and support staff, allowing them to cover a wide range of legal fields.
Litigation vs. Transactional Law Firms: Some law firms focus primarily on litigation (representing clients in court), while others focus on transactional law (such as drafting contracts, wills, or other legal documents, or helping with business transactions or estate planning).
In addition to lawyers, law firms often employ paralegals, legal secretaries, and other staff, who provide necessary administrative support. Many law firms have a hierarchical structure. At the top, there are equity partners, followed by non-equity partners, associates, and then various levels of support staff.
Why Legal Firms are important
Legal firms play a crucial role in society and are important for a variety of reasons:
Legal Expertise and Representation: Law is complex and can be difficult for laypersons to navigate. Legal firms provide individuals and businesses with access to legal expertise and representation, helping them to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law, and to navigate the legal system effectively.
Access to Justice: Legal firms make the legal system accessible to all, regardless of their knowledge or resources. They help ensure that individuals and businesses can protect their rights and seek justice.
Dispute Resolution: Legal firms play a significant role in resolving disputes, whether through litigation in court, negotiation, or alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation or arbitration.
Preserving Rule of Law: Legal firms help uphold the rule of law by holding individuals, organizations, and governments accountable for their actions. This contributes to a fair and just society.
Business Transactions: Legal firms are instrumental in facilitating business transactions, ensuring they are conducted in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This includes everything from drafting contracts to providing advice on corporate governance or tax issues.
Policy and Legislation: Legal firms often contribute to the development of policies and legislation by providing expert advice and advocacy. They can help shape laws and regulations in a way that promotes justice and meets societal needs.
Education and Advocacy: Legal firms also play a role in educating the public about the law and advocating for legal reforms. They often contribute to public debates about important legal issues.
In essence, legal firms contribute to the smooth functioning of society by ensuring that laws are understood, followed, and accessible to all, and by providing a means for individuals and organizations to navigate the legal system effectively.
History of Legal Firms in India
The history of legal firms in India is intricately tied to the evolution of the country’s legal system, which was heavily influenced by British law due to the colonial period.
During the British Raj, law was primarily practiced by individuals, not firms. The Advocates Act of 1961 unified the legal practice in India by creating two types of lawyers – advocates, who could practice law nationwide, and attorneys, who had limited rights of practice.
The concept of legal firms as we understand it today started to evolve in India in the latter half of the 20th century. By the 1980s and 1990s, several Indian law firms started to take shape and grow, providing a wide range of legal services. These early firms were often small, family-run practices, with the profession passing from generation to generation.
Indian law firms have faced unique challenges and restrictions compared to their international counterparts. Notably, the Indian legal market has been relatively closed to foreign law firms, with regulations prohibiting them from opening offices in India or practicing Indian law. As a result, Indian law firms have been insulated from international competition to some extent.
In the 1990s and 2000s, as the Indian economy liberalized and business became increasingly global, the demand for sophisticated legal services grew. Many Indian law firms expanded their range of services, providing not just litigation services but also corporate law, intellectual property, tax, and other forms of legal advice.
Today, India has a mix of small, medium, and large law firms, some of which have hundreds of lawyers and operate in multiple cities across the country. These firms provide a wide range of legal services, including corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, tax, labor law, and more.
While the legal profession and the concept of law firms have evolved significantly in India over the years, the country’s legal market remains distinct from those in many other countries, reflecting India’s unique legal history and regulatory environment.
Benefits of legal firms
Legal firms offer several benefits to their clients and society at large. Here are some of the key advantages:
Expertise and Specialization: Legal firms often have lawyers who specialize in different areas of law, providing clients with expert advice and representation tailored to their specific needs. This can be especially helpful in complex legal matters that require specialized knowledge.
Teamwork: In a legal firm, multiple lawyers and paralegals can collaborate on a case, pooling their knowledge and skills to provide the best possible representation. This collaborative approach can be particularly beneficial in complex or high-stakes cases.
Resources and Infrastructure: Legal firms typically have the resources and infrastructure necessary to handle large and complex cases. This includes everything from access to legal research tools to administrative support.
Continuity of Service: Legal firms can provide continuity of service to their clients. If one lawyer is unavailable for any reason, another lawyer from the firm can step in to ensure that the client’s legal needs continue to be met.
Comprehensive Service: Many legal firms offer a wide range of legal services, allowing clients to have all their legal needs met in one place. For businesses, this can be especially beneficial, as they may require legal assistance in various areas such as corporate law, employment law, intellectual property, and more.
Negotiation and Litigation Power: Legal firms often have more negotiation and litigation power due to their size, reputation, and collective experience. This can lead to better outcomes for clients in both settlement negotiations and court proceedings.
Ethical Standards: Legal firms are regulated by professional bodies and are required to adhere to high ethical standards, providing clients with assurance that they will receive competent and ethical representation.
Risk Management: Legal firms can help businesses and individuals manage legal risks, advising them on how to comply with laws and regulations, and helping them to avoid potential legal problems before they arise.
Best Legal Firms in India
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Khaitan & Co
AZB & Partners
J. Sagar Associates (JSA)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
Trilegal
L&L Partners Law Offices (formerly Luthra & Luthra Law Offices)
S&R Associates
IndusLaw
Nishith Desai Associates
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is one of the largest full-service law firms in India. The firm was established in 2015 after Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co, one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms in India, was split into two following a dispute between the founding brothers. Cyril Shroff launched Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, while his brother Shardul Shroff established Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has offices in multiple Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. The firm offers a wide range of legal services, including:
Corporate Law: Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has a robust corporate law practice, advising clients on matters such as Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), private equity, and venture capital transactions.
Banking and Finance: The firm provides advice on a range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, structured finance, and financial regulatory matters.
Dispute Resolution: Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas represents clients in a variety of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Capital Markets: The firm advises clients on a range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), bond issuances, and other securities transactions.
Intellectual Property: The firm’s intellectual property practice advises clients on matters such as patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Employment Law: Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advises clients on a range of employment law issues, including employment contracts, employee benefits, and employment disputes.
The firm is known for its commitment to innovation and has made significant investments in legal technology to improve its services. For the most current and detailed information about their services, I recommend visiting the official Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas website or contacting their representatives directly.
Khaitan & Co
Khaitan & Co is one of India’s oldest and most respected law firms, offering a wide range of legal services to domestic and international clients. The firm was established in 1911 and has grown to be one of the leading law firms in India with offices in Kolkata, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.
The services provided by Khaitan & Co include:
Corporate/M&A: Khaitan & Co has a strong practice in corporate law and M&A, assisting clients with structuring transactions, due diligence, drafting agreements, and regulatory compliance.
Banking and Finance: The firm advises on a range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, structured finance, corporate debt, insolvency, and financial regulation.
Dispute Resolution: Khaitan & Co has a strong litigation and dispute resolution practice, representing clients in civil, commercial, and criminal litigation, as well as in arbitration and mediation.
Capital Markets: The firm has significant experience in advising clients on IPOs, bond issuances, securities regulation, and other capital market transactions.
Real Estate: Khaitan & Co advises on a range of real estate transactions, including real estate M&A, project development, and real estate finance.
Intellectual Property: The firm advises clients on a range of intellectual property matters, including patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Tax: The firm has a strong tax practice, advising clients on a range of issues, including tax planning, compliance, and disputes.
Employment Law: Khaitan & Co advises clients on a range of employment law issues, including employment contracts, employee benefits, and employment disputes.
Khaitan & Co has a reputation for high-quality, client-focused legal services and has been involved in many landmark transactions and cases in India. For the most current and detailed information about their services, I recommend visiting the official Khaitan & Co website or contacting their representatives directly.
AZB & Partners
AZB & Partners is one of India’s leading law firms, known for its expertise in a wide range of legal services. Founded in 2004, it has quickly grown to become one of the top firms in the country. The firm had offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune.
Here are some of the key areas of practice for AZB & Partners:
Corporate/M&A: AZB & Partners has a robust corporate law practice, advising clients on matters such as Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, corporate restructuring, and private equity transactions.
Banking and Finance: The firm provides advice on a range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, structured finance, and financial regulatory matters.
Dispute Resolution: AZB & Partners represents clients in a variety of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Capital Markets: The firm advises clients on a range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), bond issuances, and other securities transactions.
Real Estate: AZB & Partners handles a range of real estate matters, from property acquisitions and disposals to real estate financing and leasing.
Intellectual Property: The firm’s intellectual property practice advises clients on matters such as patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Tax: AZB & Partners advises clients on a wide range of tax issues, including tax planning, compliance, and disputes.
Competition Law: The firm has a strong practice in competition law, advising clients on antitrust issues, merger control, and competition litigation.
AZB & Partners is known for its client-centric approach and has a reputation for delivering high-quality, practical legal advice. For the most current and detailed information about their services, it’s best to visit the official AZB & Partners website or contact their representatives directly.
J. Sagar Associates (JSA)
J. Sagar Associates (JSA) is a leading national law firm in India, providing a wide range of legal services to domestic and international clients. The firm has offices in several major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Key areas of practice for J. Sagar Associates include:
Corporate Law/M&A: JSA has a robust corporate law practice, with experience in complex transactions including Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, and corporate restructuring.
Banking and Finance: The firm offers advice on a variety of banking and finance matters, such as project finance, structured finance, insolvency and bankruptcy, and financial regulation.
Dispute Resolution: JSA represents clients in various dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Capital Markets: JSA advises clients on a wide range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), bond issuances, and other securities transactions.
Infrastructure: The firm has strong expertise in infrastructure, advising on projects in sectors such as energy, transport, and utilities.
Intellectual Property: JSA’s intellectual property practice advises clients on patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Labour and Employment: The firm offers advice on a range of employment law issues, including employment contracts, employee benefits, and employment disputes.
Real Estate: JSA handles a range of real estate matters, including property acquisitions and disposals, real estate financing, and leasing.
Taxation: The firm advises clients on a wide range of tax matters, including tax planning, compliance, and disputes.
J. Sagar Associates is known for its client-centric approach, offering tailored legal advice to meet the specific needs of each client. For the most current and detailed information about their services, it’s best to visit the official J. Sagar Associates website or contact their representatives directly.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co is a highly respected full-service law firm in India. The firm was established in 2015 after a division of the prestigious Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co, one of the oldest and most reputable law firms in India. Shardul Shroff, one of the two brothers, established Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
The firm has offices in multiple Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. The firm offers a wide range of legal services, such as:
Corporate Law/M&A: Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co has a robust corporate law practice, advising clients on matters such as Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, corporate restructuring, and private equity transactions.
Banking and Finance: The firm provides advice on a range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, structured finance, and financial regulatory matters.
Dispute Resolution: Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co represents clients in a variety of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Capital Markets: The firm advises clients on a range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), bond issuances, and other securities transactions.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy: The firm has a strong practice in insolvency and bankruptcy law, advising clients on restructuring and insolvency procedures, and representing them in insolvency proceedings.
Competition Law: The firm advises clients on a range of competition law matters, including merger control, antitrust investigations, and competition litigation.
Real Estate: Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co advises on a range of real estate transactions, including real estate M&A, project development, and real estate finance.
Employment Law: Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co advises clients on a range of employment law issues, including employment contracts, employee benefits, and employment disputes.
The firm is recognized for its commitment to delivering high-quality, client-focused legal services. For the most current and detailed information about their services, I recommend visiting the official Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co website or contacting their representatives directly.
Trilegal
Trilegal is one of India’s leading law firms, offering a broad range of legal services to domestic and international clients. The firm was founded in 2000 and has quickly established itself as a top-tier player in the Indian legal market. Trilegal has offices in major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Gurugram.
Key areas of practice for Trilegal include:
Corporate Law/M&A: Trilegal has a robust corporate law practice, advising clients on matters such as Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, corporate restructuring, and private equity transactions.
Banking and Finance: The firm provides advice on a range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, structured finance, insolvency and bankruptcy, and financial regulation.
Dispute Resolution: Trilegal represents clients in various dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Real Estate: Trilegal handles a variety of real estate matters, including property acquisitions and disposals, real estate financing, and leasing.
Infrastructure: The firm has extensive experience in infrastructure and projects, advising on transactions in sectors like energy, transport, and utilities.
Intellectual Property: Trilegal’s intellectual property practice advises clients on patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Competition Law: The firm advises clients on competition law matters, including merger control, antitrust investigations, and competition litigation.
Tax: Trilegal advises clients on a wide range of tax issues, including tax planning, compliance, and disputes.
Trilegal is known for its client-centric approach, with a focus on providing high-quality and practical legal advice. For the most current and detailed information about their services, it’s best to visit the official Trilegal website or contact their representatives directly.
L&L Partners Law Offices (formerly Luthra & Luthra Law Offices)
L&L Partners Law Offices, formerly known as Luthra & Luthra Law Offices, is a leading full-service law firm based in India. Established in 1991, the firm has since grown into one of the largest and most respected law firms in the country. L&L Partners had offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
Here are some of the main areas of practice for L&L Partners:
Corporate Law/M&A: L&L Partners has a strong corporate law practice, advising clients on matters such as Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, corporate restructuring, and private equity transactions.
Banking and Finance: The firm provides advice on a range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, structured finance, insolvency and bankruptcy, and financial regulatory matters.
Dispute Resolution: L&L Partners represents clients in a variety of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Capital Markets: The firm advises clients on a range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), bond issuances, and other securities transactions.
Intellectual Property: The firm’s intellectual property practice advises clients on matters such as patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Real Estate: L&L Partners handles a variety of real estate matters, from property acquisitions and disposals to real estate financing and leasing.
Tax: The firm has a strong tax practice, advising clients on a range of issues, including tax planning, compliance, and disputes.
Employment Law: L&L Partners advises clients on a range of employment law issues, including employment contracts, employee benefits, and employment disputes.
L&L Partners has a reputation for high-quality, client-focused legal services and has been involved in many landmark transactions and cases in India. For the most current and detailed information about their services, I recommend visiting the official L&L Partners website or contacting their representatives directly.
S&R Associates
S&R Associates is a reputed law firm based in India. It had offices in New Delhi and Mumbai. The firm is known for its work in corporate law and is recognized for its expertise in a number of legal areas. S&R Associates has a reputation for providing high-quality legal services to both domestic and international clients.
Here are some of the main practice areas for S&R Associates:
Corporate Law/M&A: S&R Associates provides comprehensive legal services in the field of corporate law. They advise clients on a wide range of matters including Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, corporate governance, and private equity transactions.
Capital Markets: The firm advises clients on a range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-on public offerings, rights issues, and other securities transactions.
Banking and Finance: S&R Associates provides advice on a range of banking and finance matters, including regulatory issues, loan agreements, project financing, and structured finance.
Dispute Resolution: The firm represents clients in a variety of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Private Client Practice: The firm also has a private client practice, providing services in estate planning, trusts, and private wealth management.
Regulatory and Public Policy: S&R Associates has experience in advising clients on regulatory compliance, policy issues, and interactions with government agencies.
S&R Associates is known for its client-centric approach, providing tailored legal advice to meet the specific needs of its clients. For the most current and detailed information about their services, it’s best to visit the official S&R Associates website or contact their representatives directly.
IndusLaw
IndusLaw is a leading law firm in India that provides a broad range of legal services. The firm was founded in 2000 and has grown significantly since then. IndusLaw has offices in Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
Here are some of the main practice areas for IndusLaw:
Corporate Law/M&A: IndusLaw has a strong corporate law practice, advising clients on matters such as Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, corporate restructuring, and private equity transactions.
Banking and Finance: The firm provides advice on a range of banking and finance matters, including project finance, structured finance, insolvency and bankruptcy, and financial regulatory matters.
Dispute Resolution: IndusLaw represents clients in a variety of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Capital Markets: The firm advises clients on a range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), bond issuances, and other securities transactions.
Intellectual Property: The firm’s intellectual property practice advises clients on matters such as patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Real Estate: IndusLaw handles a variety of real estate matters, from property acquisitions and disposals to real estate financing and leasing.
Employment Law: IndusLaw advises clients on a range of employment law issues, including employment contracts, employee benefits, and employment disputes.
Tax: The firm has a strong tax practice, advising clients on a range of issues, including tax planning, compliance, and disputes.
IndusLaw is known for its client-centric approach, offering tailored legal advice to meet the specific needs of each client. For the most current and detailed information about their services, it’s best to visit the official IndusLaw website or contact their representatives directly.
Nishith Desai Associates
Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) is a research-based Indian law firm with offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Mumbai, Delhi, Munich, and New York. The firm was established by Nishith M. Desai in 1989 and, It is known for its practice areas including international tax, intellectual property, data protection, private equity, M&A, and more.
Key areas of practice for Nishith Desai Associates include:
International Tax: The firm has a robust tax practice, advising clients on international tax issues, tax planning, and disputes.
Corporate Law/M&A: NDA has a strong corporate law practice, advising clients on matters such as Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), corporate governance, joint ventures, and private equity transactions.
Intellectual Property: NDA’s intellectual property practice advises clients on matters such as patent and trademark registration, IP litigation, and licensing agreements.
Information Technology and Data Protection: The firm advises clients on IT contracts, data privacy, cybersecurity, and e-commerce regulations.
Dispute Resolution: NDA represents clients in a variety of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
Employment Law: NDA advises clients on a range of employment law issues, including employment contracts, employee benefits, and employment disputes.
Private Client Practice: NDA also advises individuals on estate planning, trusts, and wealth management.
Capital Markets: The firm advises clients on a range of capital market transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), bond issuances, and other securities transactions.
NDA is known for its innovative and solution-oriented legal advice. The firm is often noted for its emphasis on research and its willingness to invest in gaining insights into emerging legal issues, sectors, and industries. For the most current and detailed information about their services, it’s best to visit the official Nishith Desai Associates website or contact their representatives directly.
