Khaitan & Co has bolted on Delhi technology media and telecommunications (TMT) practice start-up Legal Spectrums and its founder Asim Abbas as a partner and has hired two lawyers from telecoms major BT’s offshore legal centre in Gurgaon.

One third of top infrastructure boutique India Law Services has joined ALMT Legal in Mumbai, with partner Ishtiaq Ali set to start up ALMT’s projects and infrastructure practice.

Khaitan & Co has hired former White & Case New York associate Shishir Mehta as a partner in Mumbai to start up a banking and finance practice.

Luthra & Luthra has leased another 9,000 square feet in its existing Delhi office to build an indoor cricket practice pitch for fee-earners, following the firm’s victory at the law firm T-20 tournament last Sunday.

The Bar Council of Delhi has decided to frame a draft proposal to more stringently regulate law firms to prevent flouting of Bar Council of India (BCI) and Advocates Act rules and to strictly enforce the advertisement ban and publicity rules governing law firm websites.

Luthra & Luthra has won this year’s Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) – Khushal T-20 cricket tournament against Amarchand Mangaldas in an exciting finish to a close match that was held yesterday night in Delhi after the semi-finals of Saturday.

Titus & Co, Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal and Luthra & Luthra have reached the semi-finals of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) – Khushal T-20 cricket tournament after defeating their rivals in four quarter final matches played over Saturday and Sunday.

A Tamil Nadu advocate has reportedly filed a writ petition against 30 foreign law firms and legal process outsourcing (LPO) company Integreon for “illegally practising” law in violation of the Advocates Act 1961, according to unconfirmed media reports, although no notices have been served on the respondents yet.

Turnovers at India’s top 50 corporate law firms range from $500,000 (Rs 2.2 crore) to $40m (Rs 181 crore) with aggregate revenues of all firms amounting to $350m (Rs 1590 crore), estimated an analyst report on the Indian legal industry.

Wadia Ghandy & Co has promoted corporate senior associates Xerxes Antia, Shabnum Kajiji and Fariyal Tahseen to its partnership.

The top 100 Indian companies are set to spend an estimated $479m (Rs 2,200 crores) in legal fees of which half will be billed by foreign firms, predicts an analyst report on the Indian legal market.

J Sagar Associates (JSA) spin-off M Dhruva & Partners has recruited a corporate partner, its first senior associates and two associates as the firm has begun its transformation to full-service outfit.

Seven Delhi law firms have qualified out of the group stages to the quarter finals of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) – Khushal T-20 cricket tournament after 23 matches played over four weeks.

Amarchand Mangaldas has announced variable compensation to salaried staff on Friday with total rewards up to 80 to 95 per cent of maximum levels, as the firm is expecting a record turnover for the 2009-10 financial year.

Luthra & Luthra has leased another half-floor of 7,000 square feet in its Delhi office.

Trilegal has promoted the second woman to its partnership, as Bangalore corporate senior associate Kosturi Ghosh has swelled the senior ranks to 16.

Khaitan & Co has hired ex-bureaucrat and lawyer Dr PK Agrawal as partner to head its real estate practice in Delhi.

Luthra & Luthra, Amarchand, Kochhar and Titus have emerged as likely candidates to qualify for the quarter finals of the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) – Khushal T-20 tournament in Delhi after winning all matches played to date.

Vaish Associates has started a Mumbai indirect tax practice in its new Parel office with the hire of Paras Kuhad Associates partner Shilpa Sharma.

Amarchand Mangaldas and K&S Partners steamrollered Desai & Diwanji and Sai Krishna Associates respectively with over 200 runs, in two of last weekend’s six matches between 12 teams at the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) – Khushal T-20 cricket tournament in Delhi.