Banking & Finance | Asia-Pacific

AZB & Partners is a well-established law firm in India that advises domestic and international banks on a wide variety of work, including syndicated lending, ECB and corporate finance transactions. The team is also a go-to choice of counsel for key borrowers in the market and is active on structured and project finance transactions as well as securitisation issues. The firm handles a number of real estate financings and offers additional expertise in handling corporate insolvency matters. Key clients represented include HDFC, JPMorgan Chase and API Holdings.

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has a superb reputation among major banking and financial players, and is active on some of the most high-value financings in India. The banking team is instructed as lenders' legal counsel as well as by borrowers on matters such as project finance, and serves as local counsel to international firms. The team is also active on securitisation, loan portfolio sales and acquisition finance. The lawyers have additional expertise in handling insolvency resolution matters for major lenders, and the team is especially active on deals in the energy and infrastructure spaces. Some names in the team's client base are State Bank of India, Standard Chartered Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Singapore Branch.

JSA is regularly highlighted by market observers for its exceptional track record in legal matters relating to banking and finance in India. The team has varied transactional expertise, including various roles on syndicated loans for both Indian and international lenders, and is experienced in handling high-value refinancing, acquisition finance, project finance and sponsor financing. The firm is active on financing mandates for infrastructure investment trusts and is also able to assist lenders with real estate financing. JSA's lawyers are also adept at advising creditors on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Its key clients include Goldman Sachs, Nomura and Standard Chartered Bank.

Trilegal has a long-established legal practice which is well versed in advising large banks and financial institutions on complex structured transactions in India. The team is active across project finance, refinancing, acquisition finance and term loans. The lawyers are also experienced in distressed debt transactions and syndicated lending, and handle deals across the renewable energy, transportation and real estate spaces. Trilegal's key clients include State Bank of India, Axis Bank and Piramal Capital Housing Finance.

TT&A is widely considered to be a formidable team of lawyers for sophisticated banking work in India, and is valued for its international experience. The law firm is regularly entrusted with important mandates in India by major international banks and non-banking financial companies such as Ares SSG, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley, with particular activity on high-value acquisition finance, structured debt and refinancing for lenders. The firm also acts for domestic borrowers, including those in the energy sector, as well as handling real estate financing.

Juris Corp is especially active on structured finance and distressed transactions in India, alongside a range of other areas including acquisition and project finance. The lawyers are also capable in syndicated finance and security creation matters, as well as trade finance. The team represents a range of international and domestic banks, alongside non-bank financial institutions, handling deals relating to sectors such as manufacturing and energy. Juris Corp counts a substantial amount of cross-border work among its activity. MUFG Bank, DBS Bank and Standard Chartered Bank are clients.

Khaitan & Co is a leading law firm in India which is recognised for its good client following among both domestic and overseas lenders. The team is credited as particularly active on project finance, and also advises on a range of high-value acquisition financings, refinancing, debt investment and real estate financing. The firm is active in sectors such as energy, aviation and technology. Some of its key clients include Credit Suisse, Power Finance Corporation and Edelweiss Alternative Asset Advisors.

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co is a full-service law firm in India with an established track record of advising major banks, financial institutions and borrowers. The law firm is a popular choice for a range of work in project and acquisition financing, as well as commercial borrowing. Other areas of expertise for the team include real estate finance as well as debt restructuring and assisting with insolvency proceedings. Bharti Telecom, Axis Bank and Kotak Investment Advisors are among its clientele.

Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India is known for its project finance and acquisition finance expertise. The firm is also highly active as lenders' counsel on corporate financing for major national companies. The lawyers regularly advise on restructuring and commercial borrowings and are active representing clients in the infrastructure and energy sectors. The team is especially active in the renewable power space, including solar project financings. Clients include the likes of Axis Bank, NIIF Infrastructure Finance and ICICI Bank.

Lawyers at Saraf and Partners are well versed in a range of banking and finance matters in India. The firm regularly assists clients with project finance matters, including in the renewable energy space. The team has strong expertise in related restructuring and insolvency issues, as well as matters in the real estate sector. The firm has offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. State Bank of India, Indus Towers and Adani are clients.

Wadia Ghandy & Co has a long-established legal practice with particularly deep experience advising on regulatory matters in banking and finance, as well as project finance, complex security arrangements and refinancing structuring. The team is also well placed to advise on acquisitions in the finance sector in India. The firm regularly represents major banks, non-bank financial companies and borrowers, and often undertakes work relating to the real estate sector. Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hero FinCorp and JM Financial Products are key clients.

Argus Partners has a well-respected team of banking and finance lawyers in India, with particular expertise in restructuring and debt-related matters. The firm also regularly advises clients on project finance, loan portfolio transactions and structured finance. The law firm has offices across Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Union Bank of India, HDFC Limited and State Bank of India are clients of the firm.

Bharucha & Partners acts as both borrower and lender-side legal counsel on a range of matters in India, including acquisition financing, rupee term loans, project finance and loan portfolio sales. The firm regularly represents leading corporates in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. The department is equipped to handle cross-border matters, including Singapore-related work. The banking and finance team counts Spandana Sphoorty Financial, Annapurna Finance and IDBI Bank among its clientele.

Link Legal India Law Services is recognised for its banking and finance expertise, with particular strength in project finance and refinancing mandates. The firm is also active on corporate debt restructuring and syndicated finance. The team is highly capable in representing both lenders and borrowers and regularly handles deals relating to transport infrastructure, renewable energy and waste treatment projects, among others. Some of the key clients that the team advises are Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.

DSK Legal has an active presence in the lending sphere with offices across India. The firm acts for significant domestic and international financial institutions on loan provision and the financing aspects of restructurings. The lawyers are familiar with regulatory reviews and ensuring establishments enter the Indian market in accordance with local guidelines. Key clients include Edelweiss, Piramal Capital and Housing Finance and Deutsche Bank.

SNG & Partners is acknowledged for its active legal practice in India and serves an established base of banking clients. The firm is regularly involved in substantial rupee-denominated corporate loans, as well as ECB lending, structured credit matters and project finance. The lawyers are active on several real estate and construction financing mandates. Its key clients include IDBI Trusteeship Services, ICICI Home Finance and IndusInd Bank.

"They were highly responsive, and their advice was crystal clear. They could describe complex regulatory issues in a very clear and straightforward manner. Also, they're very business-friendly, so instead of just copying laws, they provided a simple answer that accommodated lenders from a business perspective and lawyers from a different jurisdiction."

ZBA has a well-rounded banking and finance practice, representing borrowers and lenders in financing transactions and regulatory matters. The team also offers expertise in financial sector M&A and is notably active on financing in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Clients include Fasanara Capital and Indian Railway Finance Corporation.