Trilegal counsel Shamin Shah joins mega-client Naspers as M&A lead India, SE Asia

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Friday, 28 June 2019 By Legally India In-house counsel

Shamin Shah joins South African media major Naspers in India role
Shamin Shah joins South African media major Naspers in India role

Trilegal Mumbai counsel Shamin Shah has joined South African media and global investment giant Naspers as M&A legal counsel in India.

Shah is the first hire in Naspers’ M&A legal team in Asia and the fourth hire in its global M&A legal team.

He is understood to be in charge of legal of Naspers’ Indian M&A deals and is also handling South East Asian M&A, and is reporting to the global head of legal M&A, Wayne Benn, who is based in Singapore.

Trilegal might not be altogether unhappy with Shah’s move: according to our deals database, Naspers is a close client of Trilegal’s, having drafted in the firm on some of its biggest deals, including the Flipkart sale to Walmart and Byju’s $540m fundraise from Naspers in the 2018-19 financial year.

However, Naspers - which has been hugely active in the Indian private equity space - has also worked with J Sagar Associates (JSA), Nishith Desai Associates and Veyrah Law.

Shah is the third counsel we had reported to leave Trilegal’s ranks in the past two weeks, following Tanya Mehta who joined Brookfield Asset Management as VP legal, and Padmaja Kaul who joined IndusLaw as Delhi litigation and IBC partner.

When asked for a comment on the three leavers, Trilegal co-founding partner Karan Singh said: “Our best wishes to Padmaja, Tanya and Shamin as they begin the next chapter in their respective careers. We thank them for their contributions to the firm.”

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Comments

GreatGuy! 29 Jun 2019, 03:41
+16 -4
Good Luck Shamin. You will be missed at Trilegal!
Tri 29 Jun 2019, 05:03
+17 -4
One of the last pillars at Trilegal and one of my favourite seniors....all the best sir. Im sure youll do great!
golmaal 29 Jun 2019, 08:12
+9 -0
why in the world are Trilegal counsels leaving in droves?
POTUS 29 Jun 2019, 17:04
+6 -1
With all due respect to the counsels leaving, Trilegal partnership is not easy to get. Being only a good executionist is not enough. You need to already have clients of your own, book, etc. Also being a NLS grad helps...
hocus pocus 30 Jun 2019, 08:29
+12 -0
but then what explains the laterals - not all of them have books. Also if the Trilegal partnership was so exclusive, why are they letting in so many laterals? Not all that have been made partners had books. So that explanation doesn't necessarily cut it.

Anyhow - best of luck to Shamin!
POTUS 2 Jul 2019, 07:18
+1 -0
Buddy suggest ping your partner on this. It's all very partner centric decision. If he can foot your cost, then ur made a partner. Or else it in the wrong team.

Or there may be other insecurities which kick in at a senior level. So not to blame anyone but it's like survival tactics...!!

Also why do you want a Trilegal or any other firm to not have lateral hires. Grow up kiddo...this logic will haunt you...
oho 4 Jul 2019, 05:15
+0 -2
I agree. Most of the junior partners along with the counsels lack the level you see in other tier 1 firms. Why they have been made partners in the first place is open secret. Allegiance play much more role in this firm than merit. and yes your gender too. But facts apart, how on the execution you were on other side and still a Trilegal insider? :D
Robinhood 4 Jul 2019, 08:08
+3 -0
Trilegal Insiders can also move to other firms eventually!!
Merger control 3 Jul 2019, 16:15
+9 -0
Dear Potus,

If having a book was a crieteria to make partner at Trilegal, someone we all knew would not have made partner.

Also on execution, I was on the other side and saw the junior partner crumbling every time there was a strategic call to be taken..

We know partners who managed to get votes because of their sponsor partners...

Best regards,

Trilegal Insider
POTUS 4 Jul 2019, 03:36
+2 -0
That's exactly what I said. Maybe his partner was in a position to foot the bill - "sponsor". Look at the end those who are Partner now obviously played the game better so we feel for you...but sorry babe...some other time...!!
tri 20 Sept 2019, 08:12
+2 -0
As an insider, I completely agree, the two other counsels were not going to make partner and hence likely took lateral moves, Shamin however would've easily made it. Running the South Asia book for a $400B quasi private equity firm that is accelerating the speed of investments in the country is just a far better opportunity.
Old one 29 Jun 2019, 09:50
+9 -2
All the best Shamim. Am sure you will be missed at Trilegal, [...]
Former Counsel 2 Jul 2019, 05:03
+5 -1
Congrats Shamin.
Ex-KCO 4 Jul 2019, 06:42
+5 -0
All best Shamin! It was a pleasure working with you and I hope you enjoy your new role :)
Kco 4 Jul 2019, 12:52
+4 -1
Wow, this is huge!!!!! Shammi is an intelligent guy and a great lawyer. He will definitely do justice to this role. Congrats Shamin
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