Dua hits back at Shardul Amarchand, poaches PA Kunal Mehra as partner

Monday, 8 June 2015 By Legally India Law firms

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM) corporate and M&A principal associate Kunal Mehra will join Dua Associates as a partner, reported Bar & Bench.

Last week SAM hired senior Dua litigation partner Shiraz Patodia and two partners for its Delhi litigation team.

partner hiresShardul Amarchand MangaldasKunal MehraDua Associates

Comments

kim Jong 8 Jun 2015, 09:22
+11 -0
One poaches the lioness n the another hits back by poaching a cat..
Guest 8 Jun 2015, 10:38
+2 -1
A smart cat..it seems!!
Guest 8 Jun 2015, 10:14
+0 -0
Such a sensationalist and misleading headline! Really kinda misleads one as to the nature of such moves.
Insider 8 Jun 2015, 10:24
+1 -0
It's a misleading headline. It's not a case of retaliation. A good move though..congratulations!!
kianganz 8 Jun 2015, 10:26
+2 -1
Cause and effect is not necessarily implied in the headline, but not linking the two moves at all would not be a reasonable assumption.
Insider 8 Jun 2015, 10:36
+3 -0
That's not correct, Kian.

By your logic, there is a link between loosing a very senior litigation partner with almost 3 decades of experience and hiring a corporate resource who has been hired as a partner. How can that be? Creates confusion and diminishes the significance of the move.
kianganz 8 Jun 2015, 10:37
+0 -0
When was the last time Dua has hired a partner from Shardul Amarchand?
kianganz 8 Jun 2015, 10:40
+2 -1
Let me add to that, when was the last time Dua has poached a partner from a rival law firm?

http://www.legallyindia.com/tag/dua-associates

All I see is hiring back someone from Tatva.

As I understand it, Dua is a very old school firm, with Ranji Dua a true old-school gentleman who doesn't believe in poaching and headhunting (unless the other firm attacked first, presumably).
Guest 8 Jun 2015, 10:51
+0 -0
The issue might be with the entire way in which this whole 'poaching' is framed. Seems to suggest that partners and others in law firm are like some inanimate resource thats traded between the bigwig 'owners' of the respective firms.
Every lawyer is pretty much looking at becoming a partner in a partnership firm in which theyre practicing the firms core competence from day 1. Obviously theyre free to and should move to any place that gives them what they want - be it money or independence or whatever. Not sure if that can be seen so much in terms of a firm 'poaching' someone which is probably more appropriate if they hired an office boy or receptionist from another firm.
Hold on? 8 Jun 2015, 14:18
+1 -1
A partner is not an inanimate resource and can't be poached but an office boy/receptionist is and can be poached? With this mentality, you must be from SAM!
Guest 8 Jun 2015, 11:03
+0 -0
There is way too much assumption here. Probably it was just a sheer coincidence that these two movements have taken place so close to each other.
kianganz 8 Jun 2015, 11:05
+0 -2
Maybe, but the fact of the timing, that they happened so closely together, practically makes it a counterstrike, even if not originally planned as such.

Unless Dua hired first and Shardul followed up later...
Chewie 8 Jun 2015, 19:30
+2 -0
Han Shot First
Tim 8 Jun 2015, 11:05
+4 -2
Congratulations Kunal!! A good move..you will surely do well..cheers!
Lightspeed 8 Jun 2015, 11:38
+3 -1
You say Ranji does not attack, unless attacked. Hence, you think Kunal's hiring started and finished over the weekend!
cant get the news first so u 8 Jun 2015, 12:19
+2 -0
Sensationalise?

Kunal had put in his papers some time back and has rejoined dua. His first job was at dua pune.

In fact I believe shiraz had interviewed Kunal for his new job!
Rosogulla 8 Jun 2015, 11:33
+1 -0
Technically, Himanshu was hired as a Partner from AMSS..
Guest 8 Jun 2015, 11:00
+1 -2
Good move
Lawyer 8 Jun 2015, 11:01
+0 -0
What is the size of 'book' he commands?
Lexpert 8 Jun 2015, 11:07
+0 -1
Best wishes to Kunal!
Vakeel 8 Jun 2015, 11:10
+5 -0
Dua 'hits back' at Shardul Amarchand. The term 'hits back' sounds more loaded than the actual news. The news is simple - One firm elevated 15 principal associates to salaried partner model. The name of the subject was not in the list. The subject was perhaps already aware of the inevitable and therefore in the process of looking for opportunities elsewhere for professional growth. The subject secured the opportunity and decided to switch.
Guest 8 Jun 2015, 11:42
+0 -0
You certainly make sense. However, anybody who knows how AMSS (oops SAM) works, there can be a million reasons for someone at this level to leave. if this guys has a combined experience of almost 10 years at AZB and AMSS, surely has some exposure and perhaps wisdom. And he was part of Shardul's team. It must be a thought through move. Sounds like a good catch for Dua actually..not a retaliation for sure!
virage 8 Jun 2015, 11:17
+0 -0
I doubt he would be paid more at Dua! He must have gone there just for the 'Partner' tag.
And how much does a Principal Associate earn at SAM??
Vakeel 8 Jun 2015, 11:31
+4 -0
8-10 years corporate law experience is decent enough these days for anyone to think of getting to the next stage. I think he perhaps made a sensible move and lucky that he got it now.
Guest 8 Jun 2015, 11:49
+0 -0
Kian - can you please let us know how many PA's have left SAM..seems like quite a few of them lately.
Ex-AZB 8 Jun 2015, 11:56
+9 -6
Congratulations Mr. Mehra!!

A great catch by Dua..Kunal is a master of court mergers and brings a wealth of experience on the table. A very likeable character who really encourages his juniors and goes by his work tactfully. Here's to an LIIT at The Dome..cheers!
Star 8 Jun 2015, 14:07
+6 -9
Kunal is a star hire - very competent and professional. Good catch for Dua. All the best, Kunal.
Guest 9 Jun 2015, 10:03
+0 -0
How long had Kunal been working at SAM?
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