Former Juris Corp equity partner Mustafa Motiwala has joined Clasis Law as its first partner in Mumbai after the departure of all of the other Mumbai partners.

Motiwala, who joined the firm on 17 November, will build the firm’s real estate practice and work with Delhi partner Sumeet Lall to further develop its litigation practice, the firm stated in a press release.

He commented in the release: “The firm’s excellent reputation for inbound and outbound work and its working relationship with international law firms provide a strong foundation for the growth plans of the Mumbai office.”

The firm’s Delhi founding partner Vineet Aneja said: “His arrival brings a new impetus for Clasis Law in Mumbai and fits firmly with our strategic plan. We intend to develop key practices in Mumbai with the overall goal of achieving significant presence and reputation in the Mumbai market, and which will complement the overall capabilities of our other Clasis Law offices. We are already in advanced stages of discussion with several other potential hires. We are confident about our plans for Mumbai and Clasis Law on the whole and are in the process of implementing them.”

Shortly before Motiwala joining the firm, its Mumbai partners Harsh Pratap, Sagar Diwekar, Ishtiaq Ali, Damodar Rao and Sakate Khaitan had all left leaving the Mumbai office partnerless and the firm without any of its original co-founding partners other than Aneja.

The Mumbai office now has four associates, confirmed a firm spokesperson. She also confirmed that Clasis continued to have a best friend relationship with UK-international firm Clyde & Co.