Algo partner Vinayak Mishra (HNLU ‘08) joins VC Lightspeed as first India-SEA legal chief

Wednesday, 22 July 2020 By Legally India In-house counsel

Vinayak Mishra moves to new stage of career at Lightspeed

Algo Legal Gurgaon-based partner Vinayak Mishra has yesterday joined venture capital (VC) fund Lightspeed India Partners Advisors as its first de facto legal head for India and South-East Asia.

Mishra is joining as director legal, reporting to the India-based chief financial officer (CFO) Amit Mehra.

The remit of the 2008 HNLU Raipur graduate, who had previously also worked at firms such as Desai & Diwanji, BMR Legal and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, will be to build up a legal team for the fund.

Lightspeed in India has been working primarily with IndusLaw.

Mishra commented: “It has been a satisfying experience to see Algo Legal grow so rapidly over the past one year and I wish the firm best.

“Given my experience as a VC lawyer, I have always been intrigued by in-house roles at VC funds. Lightspeed is one of global leaders in the VC space and Lightspeed India has done fantastic work in India and South East Asia.

“I am excited to be part of their journey and look forward to next phase of my career.”

Mishra had joined Themis, in January 2019 and moved along to Algo as a lot of other Themisers had done.

We have also reached out to Algo for comment.

Update 24 July 2020: Algo managing partner Sandeep Kapoor commented: “I am happy that Vinayak is going to be a part of an excellent organisation like Lightspeed, I’m thrilled to see his career trajectory and wish him all the very best. Lightspeed is fortunate to have Vinayak on board as a partner, he will undoubtedly add tremendous value in every discipline of work. He is a TRUE ASSET.”

“I thank Vinayak for all his contributions to Algo’s journey.”

Vinayak Mishra Work history From: Jul 2020 : Director - Legal , Lightspeed India Partners Advisors ( New Delhi ) Aug 2019 - Jul 2020 : Partner , Algo Legal ( Gurgaon ) Jan 2019 - Jul 2019 : Independent Corporate Counsel , Advocate- Independent Practise ( Gurgaon ) Jun 2017 - Dec 2018 : Principal Associate , Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co ( Gurgaon ) Apr 2016 - Jun 2017 : Principal , BMR Legal ( New Delhi Area ) Apr 2014 - Mar 2016 : Managing Associate , BMR Legal Jan 2013 - Mar 2014 : Senior Associate , BMR Legal Jan 2012 - Jan 2013 : Senior Associate , Desai & Diwanji ( Gurgaon ) Jan 2009 - Jan 2012 : Associate , Desai & Diwanji, Gurgaon Education 2003 - 2008 : Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur , B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) , Law

Comments

Internal 22 Jul 2020, 15:27

+19 -3

I had interned under Vinayak sir in 2017 and he was the only reason I didn't throw my laptop out the window and leave the archaic corporate landscape of pain that is SAM Gurgaon. Delighted to see him prosper out of its shackles.

Supporter 22 Jul 2020, 15:36

+7 -3

Excellent lawyer! Have worked with him on numerous transactions. All the very best Vinayak!

Well wisher 22 Jul 2020, 15:37

+4 -2

Top guy and a fantastic lawyer. He will be an asset to Lightspeed. Best wishes to him.

Well-wisher 22 Jul 2020, 16:07

+4 -1

A great lawyer, a fine gentleman and a superb addition to the LSIP team!

Algo? 22 Jul 2020, 16:53

Lots of departures from Algo. All ok there?

All-go 23 Jul 2020, 05:10

+2 -2

Do you mean people or mandates? Because yes.

No surprise 22 Jul 2020, 21:05

+13 -3

Everyone knows for a fact how bad Algo is performing. More exits on the way. The way they treated Themis, karma will bite back

Pavam 23 Jul 2020, 10:32

+1 -0

Dude, you really don't like Algo, do you? Either you're an insider (unlikely) or an ex-employee (likely). My bet is the latter, given you you know how bad Algo is performing and how they treated Themis.

Mad Rush 23 Jul 2020, 06:33

+6 -1

Wait till you read further - Vinayak is just the beginning - the founding team of Algo starts collapsing from here!..The founding team was rock solid and had the potential to be one of the best teams in the VC business when they started. However, the problem is that when you acquire a law firm on money power and not know what it takes to build institutions over years of toil and hard work, you stop valuing people. Archan, Vinayak, ........, ........, ........, the list goes on. The firm has also seen 1 PA and 5 SAs leave the legal team in the last 5 months. People leaving in these uncertain times is clear indication how deeply suffocated people are under this management...

Billu 23 Jul 2020, 08:42

+7 -0

Legal Tech Law Firm- In the quest for tech, these people have totally lost sight of the legal.

Scooty 23 Jul 2020, 08:00

+3 -5

I havent worked with the Algo guys before, but seeing the articles here on LI, they seem to have hired some top talent in the last few months. And if grapevine is to be believed, there's some more top talent on the way to Algo. From what it looks like the quality of new/ remaining partnership will be even better. But only time will tell.

Hmmmm 23 Jul 2020, 10:24

+12 -1

Not sure if top talent is "on the way to Algo" or "will go away from Algo". Guess only time will tell.

Algoing 23 Jul 2020, 10:58

+11 -1

Any comment which starts with 'I haven't worked with [the firm] before' usually most certainly means it is somebody from the firm who cares a bit too much about LI comments.

what? 23 Jul 2020, 09:16

+2 -9

Looks like Algo has given a serious run to the incumbent Bangalore players - So much criticism to a firm that has grown to be top 5 in VC rankings consistently in less than a year! They are probably doing somethings right!! I guess the mud slinging games are back on LI !

Great Guy 23 Jul 2020, 10:55

+3 -1

I worked with Vinayak on two fund raising rounds where he was the counsel for the investors. A through gentleman who was very kind to me on more than a few occasions despite the fact that I was opposing counsel.

I'm glad that he is doing well and I wish him the best of luck!

Alias 23 Jul 2020, 13:13

Know him personally for more than a decade now. A thorough gentleman, wonderful human being and an excellent lawyer. All the best for your new innings.

SKs Minion 23 Jul 2020, 17:16

+2 -0

Firm doing well? Heard they haven't even announced promotions/bonuses/increments.

Guest 24 Jul 2020, 10:10

+4 -0

Great move..humble yet very effective lawyer. One of the best Counsels i have worked with..well deserved!!

Guest 29 Jul 2020, 12:47

+0 -1

Worked with Vinayak, he is a great lawyer and a even better human being. Wish him luck!!

Babaji 4 Aug 2020, 16:32

Going by the number of 'he is a good human being" comments here.. a " Being Human" award for Vinayak Mishra is in order. We have lots of good and efficient lawyers but what we need are lawyers with a human touch!!! Salute this thought process!! No pun intended

Could not agree more 5 Aug 2020, 04:59

+0 -0

No doubt. One of the best human beings I have come across. Worked with him when I was an intern and worked against him on couple of transactions post joining the profession. In every interaction he was equally humble, supportive and respectful. Need more of his kind in the profession.

Babaji 5 Aug 2020, 15:34

+0 -5

He should join a charity organisation or set up a shelter home for hapless interns!!! If you are looking for respect from the opposing counsel you are in the wrong profession my dear boy

Oh! 6 Aug 2020, 12:03

+3 -0

16.1 I thought we are in a noble profession where the best of friends also act like enemies for their respective clients interest, and enjoy drinks together outside court/meeting rooms.

Seems like you have hd troubled childhood.

Commenting is closed for this article.