Khaitan promotes 20 partners, focus on corporate, litigation; ILS, GLC alums top with NLS, DU, U-Cal [UPDATE-3]

Thursday, 31 March 2016 By Legally India Law firms

Khaitan & Co has promoted 20 lawyers to partner, as first reported by Bar & Bench.

12 were promoted from associate partner to equity partner; 8 got the nod from principal associate to associate partner.

A total of eight principal associates – seven in Mumbai and one in Delhi - have been promoted to associate or salary partner level.

Delhi saw a bumper crop of seven equity partners who rose into the equity partner ranks, while Mumbai and Kolkata both welcomed two new partners into Khaitan’s equity.

In Bangalore, one associate partner was promoted into equity.

Four were promoted to the counsel designation in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

Practice split: Corporate core, litigation sees big push

According to the firm’s press release, nine partnership promotions were in corporate.

Notably, considering Khaitan’s traditional focus on non-contentious work outside Kolkata, a massive number of six promotions were made in the dispute resolution teams across offices, with four of those having become equity partners.

Both of Kolkata’s promotions were in the litigation team from associate partner to equity partner.

Two each were promoted in the securities and capital markets team, and in the infrastructure practice.

Law schools alumni break-up

Law school	Equity Partners	Associate Partners	Total
ILS Pune	2	1	3
GLC Mumbai		3	3
NLSIU Bangalore	2		2
Delhi University	2		2
University of Calcutta	2		2
NLIU Bhopal	1		1
Nalsar Hyderabad	1		1
Symbiosis Pune		1	1
NUJS Kolkata	1		1
ULC Bangalore	1		1
NLU Jodhpur		1	1
DDU University Gorakhpur		1	1

Promos at a glance (via Khaitan & Co)

Mumbai associate partners:

Aditya Cherian (AP)
Moin Ladha (AP)
Pooja Patel (AP)
Peshwan Jahangir (AP)
Sameer Sah (AP)
Shivanshu Thapliyal (AP)
Vinita Krishnan (AP)

Delhi associate partner

Atul Pandey (AP)

Mumbai new equity partners

Kartik Maheshwari
Mehul Shah

Delhi new equity partners

Ashwin Bishnoi
Dibyanshu
Diwakar Maheshwari
Gaurav Juneja
GT Thomas Phillippe
Prasenjit Chakravarti
Prateek Kumar

Kolkata new equity partners

Nandini Khaitan
Ratnesh Rai

Bangalore new equity partner

Sharad Moudgal

New counsel

Shailendra Bhandare (Mumbai)

Smriti Yadav (Mumbai)

Shilpi Jain (Delhi)

Trivikram Khaitan (Kolkata)

Khaitan & Co

Comments

Scooter- 31 Mar 2016, 08:00

+1 -0

AP or P?

kianganz 31 Mar 2016, 08:03

+0 -0

Have asked for confirmation on that front. Press release apparently coming soon, as should confirmation and practice areas...

Guest 31 Mar 2016, 08:14

+0 -4

EP. All these 20 were previously APs.

AP-P 31 Mar 2016, 08:20

+1 -1

Looks like there is something wrong. A lot of these guys, Nandini, Karthik, GT, Bishnoi were already partners. How do they get promoted again?

Guest 31 Mar 2016, 08:31

+0 -1

They were Associate Partners. Now, they're Equity Partners.

KC Jha 1 Apr 2016, 05:36

+6 -0

We will keep on promoting them repeatedly until they become real partners ;-)

Lawyerlyours 15 Apr 2016, 05:19

+0 -0

they were associate partners. Have put in time and then been assessed.

Vant 31 Mar 2016, 08:04

+0 -1

Kian, it would be great if you could also include details like their area of specialization!

kianganz 31 Mar 2016, 08:05

+0 -0

Yep, have requested, should be there soon... :)

News 31 Mar 2016, 08:24

+29 -9

Like the story of man biting dog, given Khaitan's promotion process, the story should be that someone did not make partner, rather than the other way round.

Truthseeker 31 Mar 2016, 09:23

+7 -9

Is your comment a case of - "The grapes are sour coz I didn't get them"? :P

News 31 Mar 2016, 11:09

+11 -3

If that was the case then I would have been the news, since I didn't become partner, but that's hasn't happened, anyone who had a remote chance of becoming anything, has

Bling 31 Mar 2016, 11:13

+8 -0

Kian isn't the headline 20 partners entirely misleading.Either you say APs are also partners, in which case you say 7 partner promotions. Or you say APs are not really partners at KCo., I which case the correct headline is 13 partner promotions, and Haigreve has to reassess his 100 partner claim. Kian I know you are biased towards Kco but don't print prima facie misstatements

Family 31 Mar 2016, 08:27

+4 -0

Nandini Khaitan is family and has been partner for a while now!

Guest 31 Mar 2016, 08:33

+0 -1

She was an Associate Partner. Now, Equity Partner.

In House Counsel 31 Mar 2016, 08:27

+2 -0

Ashwin Bishnoi, Kartick Maheshwari and Thomas Phillippe have been made equity partners. They were already associate partners.

Guest 31 Mar 2016, 08:35

+0 -0

There are many others in the list who have been EP from AP. Some have been made AP from PA.

kianganz 31 Mar 2016, 08:35

+0 -0

Yes, at least some of the above will be associate partner to equity partner promos - but some are new partners, I think...

20+ 31 Mar 2016, 08:49

+4 -3

20 make EP. Wholesale pe, kya baat! What would be their book size, I wonder now? I am now assuming that 60+ will make AP's. And right then 80+ new partners, jai ho jhulelal !

kianganz 31 Mar 2016, 08:54

+2 -0

It's a mix of promos - we could in theory search all of the names manually on Linked-in and LI archives to confirm who was already an AP, and who wasn't, but have been told press release is coming shortly, so would prefer to wait for official confirmation and avoid duplication of labour :)

Guest 31 Mar 2016, 08:58

+0 -0

12 of these were previously AP and now EP.
8 were PA and now AP.
Aditya Cherian, Moin Ladha, Pooja Patel, Peshwan Jehangir, Sameer Sah, Shivanshu Thaplyal and Vinita Krishnan have been made APs. Rest of the 12, all EPs.

kianganz 31 Mar 2016, 09:33

+1 -1

Many thanks for that - that seems to check out! :)

Oho!! 31 Mar 2016, 09:43

+0 -0

You've got it wrong!!
Equity Partners: 2 Bombay, 7 Delhi, 1 Bangalore and 2 Calcutta
Associate Partners: 7 Mumbai, 1 Delhi
Counsels (parallel track to partnership): 2 Bombay, 1 Delhi and 1 Calcutta

kianganz 31 Mar 2016, 09:58

+0 -0

Righto, thanks! Press release now in, story corrected and updated.

Guest1 31 Mar 2016, 10:09

+0 -0

Atul Pandey in Delhi has been made an AP and not a EP. It is there in the press release. You have called him an EP.

kianganz 31 Mar 2016, 10:11

+0 -0

Should all be fixed now, thanks!

Break-up 31 Mar 2016, 09:46

+0 -1

Mumbai:

Aditya Cherian (AP)
Moin Ladha (AP)
Pooja Patel(AP)
Peshwan Jahangir (AP)
Sameer Sah (AP)
Shivanshu Thapliyal (AP)
Vinita Krishnan (AP)
Kartik Maheshwari (EP)
Mehul Shah (EP)

Delhi

Atul Pandey (AP)
Ashwin Bishnoi (EP)
Dibyanshu (EP)
Diwakar Maheshwari (EP)
Gaurav Juneja (EP)
GT Thomas Phillippe (EP)
Prasenjit Chakravarti (EP)
Prateek Kumar (EP)

Kolkata

Nandini Khaitan (EP)
Ratnesh Rai (EP)

Bangalore

Sharad Moudgal (EP)

Whoa 31 Mar 2016, 10:16

+6 -6

Are there any associates left at the firm ?? The leverage must be like 1:3 now. Pity to seethe status of equity partnership in all firms going down the drain.

LOL 31 Mar 2016, 10:36

+7 -4

Wanna apply as an associate at Khaitan, since you're so worried about the ratio? Maybe eventually you can even help the "status of equity partnership", O Wise One.

RNR 31 Mar 2016, 10:18

+7 -13

Ms. Nandini Khaitan is an extremely able lady - from my previous experience in a matter. i do not know for sure what position she held before today, but whatever her achievements - she is fully deserving of the same! #StandByKolkata

Logjamming 1 Apr 2016, 07:17

+2 -1

Ve believes in you

Report to LI 31 Mar 2016, 10:38

+1 -0

What about senior associate promotions?

Guest 31 Mar 2016, 10:57

+3 -0

Kian's paying no heed to associate level promotions

Lolla Kutty 31 Mar 2016, 11:45

+16 -2

Congratulations to the few deserving ones. Can someone share the partners (+AP, Counsel) and non-partner associates break-up? In a world class organisation, the partnership is coveted and truly aspirational. Seems partnership in Khaitan has become commoditised. Be average, stay non-controversial, keep focus on execution and you will be blessed. I wonder how the partners who have true worth in terms of knowledge and capability will be viewing these new entrants. HR department has to show some teeth and claws to stop such mindless top-down push.

Silent Observer 31 Mar 2016, 12:00

+4 -10

Feeling sad for you too. Maybe lucky next year, eh?!

YouCantHandleTheTruth 31 Mar 2016, 14:29

+12 -3

Sadly, there are no firms left in India where partnership (even salaried partnership) means something across the board. It's become a joke frankly, which is not to say that there are not specific deserving individuals in every firm. En masse promotions like this (and not just in Khaitan but also the random hiring in CAM Delhi etc) destroy firms because anybody with any merit sees that it's all a sham and there is nothing worthwhile to look forward to or work for.

It's just a retention strategy now. Promote everyone who has been there for X years to partnership and pay them some bullshit SA/PA salary with not much more incremental control/management over the firm.

Quality and the creation of something to aspire for in the associates be damned.

Anon1 31 Mar 2016, 12:35

+0 -0

what is the salary of associate partner in Khaitan?

Paise 31 Mar 2016, 12:42

+2 -1

Is Khaitan giving bonus to its associates? or has it also pushed it to next financial year like other firms.

Bonus 31 Mar 2016, 13:18

+1 -0

Everybody was paid today.

Congrats! 31 Mar 2016, 12:48

+9 -3

Congratulations to all the new EPs, APs, Counsels, PAs and SAs! Don't let the haters get to you - you all worked hard for what you got and if anyone doesn't feel that way, it's their problem!!

Bench in Bar 31 Mar 2016, 13:09

+8 -0

How much equity they have been offered. Is it 10 %, 1%, 0.1%, or 0.01%.?

Real Estate Bakeel 31 Mar 2016, 13:39

+0 -0

A Table for respective book sizes, Kian please?

ENTER 31 Mar 2016, 14:10

+0 -0

How much does an EP make at Kaitan?

lemme think! 31 Mar 2016, 15:28

+6 -5

1st year partner at erstwhile AMSS- Around 75 lacs.

Khaitan A.P.- Around 60

Trilegal- Dont know but assuming above 60

Luthra-50-65 depending on the practice area.

LKS- Jt. Partner 40+

Hi 31 Mar 2016, 17:12

+2 -0

You've got all the figures wrong boss.

lemme think! 1 Apr 2016, 17:58

+1 -0

Hi hi,

All of them?
Well LKS,Khaitan I can confirm. Of course star partners make more than that. Any inputs?

Wrong 1 Apr 2016, 22:17

+0 -0

You can't compare Khaitan compensation across levels with LKS. Do some more meaningful market research!

Lol 1 Apr 2016, 12:39

+0 -0

Oh it's way more a than that bud! Maybe not for all but for some, it's way more

Khurana Associate 31 Mar 2016, 14:26

+1 -0

working with law firm since many years but no promotion, ye to choro increment bhi not more than ....isase jyada to inflation hota hai har sal...congrats Bhai log...

jhunjhunwala 31 Mar 2016, 15:30

+1 -0

Smart decision taken by Khaitan and Co. April is the move on month or the month to move on.
These names might be in the SAM and CAM poaching list.

Partnership 1 Apr 2016, 01:48

+5 -2

Kian you should do an investigative article on what partnership actually means across the firms. How much remuneration is linked to equity risk? How many equity partners sign partnership deeds (for example in Khaitan, even so called equity partners don't sign a deed, there is a seperate category of "deed" partners. How many partnerships are all equity(Trilegal)? Where are equity partners entitled to vote (JSA)? What kind of decisions are put to vote? My premises is that in most firms even equity partners have little but an enhanced salary and some degree of operational freedom.

Mmmmmm... 1 Apr 2016, 02:26

+3 -2

Blood is always thicker than water

Corp lawyer 1 Apr 2016, 02:31

+9 -3

Take a bow, Atul Sir. Your promotion is in fact very well deserved! Many Congratulations.

Swapnakant 1 Apr 2016, 05:52

+3 -4

Congratulations girls and guys... you truly deserve the kudos...you are the best....have fun...cheers...party kab hai batao :) :)

Swapper 1 Apr 2016, 08:02

+3 -0

If you are really who you claim to be then you should know that no one will ever give a party. Your history is replete.

Guest 1 Apr 2016, 06:57

+8 -0

Congratulation to all the persons promoted by Khaitan & Co.

Heard that there has been bumper promotions at all levels. Especially promotions in the Dispute Resolution team.

Peshwan Jehangir has to wait for too long but finally got his due.

Hope the management had taken this decision two three years ago since many good dispute resolution members had too quit due to non transparency in promotions.

Any way that is always the case.

Good luck

Lawyerlyours 9 Apr 2016, 20:20

+0 -0

Ratnesh And Nandini were long time due

KC Jha 1 Apr 2016, 08:39

+0 -0

hamra permosan kab hoga?

Lawyerlyours 1 Apr 2016, 11:08

+5 -1

Multiple promotions are a testament to the sheer talent that is working there and they should be recognized. Kudos to all.

KCO convert 1 Apr 2016, 11:36

+1 -0

Either the firm made a killing or someone made a mistake. Most of the associates got a bumper bonus. You could see smiles all around. Join the boat or keep cursing from afar.

Anon1983 1 Apr 2016, 19:13

+2 -0

Congrats Sameer

Khaitan ka best policy 2 Apr 2016, 12:15

+0 -0

I scratch your back and you scratch mine.

Wait a minute 2 Apr 2016, 04:35

+1 -0

I think Ms. Krishnan may not be an associate partner but an Associate Director. I don't think CAs can be partners in a law firm. Check it up and also ask Khaitan & Co. to review the same.

Loin 3 Apr 2016, 07:18

+2 -0

Heard the increments are very bad like 3 to 10% :0 what's happening? Mindless promotions creating stress on book?

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