J Sagar Associates (JSA) has introduced the principal associate designation into its associate career track, in line with many other law firms in India and abroad.

Until now JSA has only had the associate and senior associate designations before partnership, but in the current round of promotions announced today, which saw 15 lawyers elevated to retained partner level, 16 senior associates were promoted into the new designation.

Joint managing partner Dina Wadia said that it was something the firm had been contemplating for a while, to give a “more structured career path”.

She agreed that the move could make hiring from other firms “a bit easier” and associates also want the principal associate tag.

When questioned on whether it was likely to extend the time it would take to rise to partnership, she said: “[I] don’t think it’s likely or certain to add years and not something that was a consideration. I guess it will be the same for all firms who have this category.”

The track to retained partnership at JSA was around 10 years, and around 13 years to equity partnership, according to research carried out by Legally India in 2014, though in some cases it has taken as few as six years after qualification at JSA.

Full list of new principal associates:

Bangalore

1. Archana Tewary

2. Jyothi D.T

3. Manuel Jose

4. Neha Bhatia

Chennai

1. Bhavana Alexander****

Delhi & Gurgaon

1. Gautam Shahi

2. Mohit Bakshi

3. Swetha Prashant

4. Vaibhav Choukse

Mumbai

1. Aditya Rathi

2. Archana Panchal

3. Arup Pereira

4. Malav Shah

5. Pratik Pawar

6. Shahen Pradhan

7. Utsav Johri