Ex-Luthra partner Alina Arora joins Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas as equity after 4-month break [UPDATE-1]

Monday, 4 May 2020 By Legally India Law firms

Alina Arora joins SAM after five-month break post Luthra
Alina Arora joins SAM after five-month break post Luthra

Alina Arora, who had resigned from L&L Partners in late November 2019, has now joined Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Bar & Bench has first reported.

We have independently confirmed that she has joined and understand the firm is issuing a press release shortly.

She has joined as an equity partner.

Arora specialises in corporate commercial and anti-corruption and compliance work.

The 1998 Delhi University LLB had been at Luthra, as the firm was formerly known, since 2001.

After announcing her L&L resignation in November, she had said she was taking a career break for a while and had no immediate plans to join another firm. She had left L&L by January 2020.

L&L had issued a statement, at the time, wishing her well.

Update 20:39, adding press release below: SAM’s press release noted that she joined today, and was a “multi-faceted lawyer” with experience across “white collar crime & investigations, insurance, defence, M&A and compliance”.

Arora said in a press statement: “After a break to recalibrate, I am ready to re-start my career.

“SAM is ‘the’ leading law firm in India and is at the forefront of legal innovation and excellence. Joining SAM provides me an unparalleled platform to be a part of the transformation of the legal industry in these changing times.

I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my second innings. I remain grateful to Mr. Luthra and Mohit, for their tremendous support to me over the years.”

SAM executive chairman Shardul S Shroff commented in a press release: “We are very happy to have a seasoned and well-regarded senior lawyer like Alina join our equity partnership.

“We are confident that she will add further depth to our offering and help consolidate the firm’s position across the board with her wide-ranging experience. She is a great addition to our strong partnership, as together we navigate these exciting and challenging times which are bringing an unprecedented revolution to the practice of law.”

L&L PartnersShardul Amarchand Mangaldaspartner hiresAlina Arora

Comments

Guest 4 May 2020, 13:08
+20 -48
Congrats, Alina! We miss you here.
Guest1 5 May 2020, 11:32
+1 -35
We will miss you.
Sammi4evea 4 May 2020, 13:11
+24 -42
In bijiness, SAM is no.1
Great hire
Great time for such a hire
Alina is an expert on white collar crime, investigstions and insurance
All this that are gonna be hot in the nexf few month
Shardul bhai hero no. 1
Big B 4 May 2020, 13:41
+13 -49
You missed her experience in the defence sector
Guest 4 May 2020, 15:53
+44 -3
What will happen to the existing Defence specialist at SAM.....
There's not enough work in India to sustain two defence specialist in one firm
Ex L&L 4 May 2020, 13:23
+27 -48
Alina is a brilliant partner who didn't just survive in the sausage fest that is Luthra but also excelled there. SAM is the big winner here.
Careerwala 4 May 2020, 14:31
+45 -9
Now that was a long career break... of four months !!!
This has become a default reason for partners when they quit a firm. No one believes that excuse anymore anyways.
I am also sitting at home for last two months (because of lockdown). Can SAM please consider this period as my career break and give me a job?
Scam 4 May 2020, 14:46
+71 -13
So what’s the difference between manan and Alina ? He was upfront about where he was going post luthra, and got sued by the firm. She said she was taking a break and then joined Sam, will the same recourse be taken by the firm ?
Blue 15 May 2020, 05:14
+1 -0
Manan was a blue eyed boy whereas Alina was not! The emotions impact was higher!
Truly warmly sincerely 4 May 2020, 15:31
+43 -13
This didn’t affect Luthra then and will not affect Luthra now. [...] two her junior colleagues (one of whom is a partner now). He has his own book and has seamlessly continued to service the existing insurance clients. Look at all the max deals which have recently concluded. Manan prospered after Madhurima’s exit, and so will sammy. That’s a given!
B R Chopra 7 May 2020, 18:08
+29 -2
On a lighter note:

Kunti, Arjun, Bheem, Nakul and Sahdev, chale gaye Indraprastha.

Reh gaye Lakshagrah mein to bechare Yudhishtra aur Draupadi.

Time will tell beta, time will tell.
SAM Associate 1 4 May 2020, 15:32
+50 -1
Heard some associates from her team have already joined SAM ..interesting! Wonder if L&L is aware?
Insider 5 May 2020, 04:52
+43 -0
Barring 1-2 associates from L&L, everyone else has joined her at SAM. I am sure her joining is going to ruffle a lot of feathers at SAM as Alina seems to have her hands in almost every pie (practice area). It'll be a challenge for SSS to balance out so many egos.
Show me the equity? 4 May 2020, 15:40
+26 -2
At least she got equity which is a forgotten promise at Luthra.
Ah 5 May 2020, 07:40
+0 -1
Did she? I thought she's salaried.
Eager 5 May 2020, 12:13
+5 -0
When will we at Luthra will get equity
insider luthra 9 May 2020, 06:15
+3 -6
in your dreams!
EC Outsider 4 May 2020, 15:44
+45 -7
Barring Mohit and Mr. Luthra, and a new joiner, the rest of the EC is just a sham. No [...] or meaningful book size. They have been there because of loyalty which Is extremely valued at Luthra and loyalty is because they won’t be employed anywhere else. Everyone knows what this loyalty means. There will never be an equity release. On the contrary wait for salary cuts.
Benjamin 4 May 2020, 19:42
+24 -3
New joiner to the EC? Tell tell. If I think who I think he/ she is, what book size does he/ she have?
Momo 5 May 2020, 11:14
+1 -1
Indus se aaya?
Benjamin 2 5 May 2020, 14:40
+6 -1
Bhai kuch bhi...ek toh Indus gaya EC se.
Sorry 4 May 2020, 16:15
+28 -43
Very sorry to see her go. One of the pillars of luthra, and singlehandedly set up and headed many verticals of practice over the years. She also played a big role in many administrative matters and gave herself wholeheartedly to all work she did.

Hardly any of the original pillars left. Sameen V passed away, Sameer D on a break, Alina gone to a competitor, Dr Shweta on her own. These were the seniors when we joined in 2002. All gone :-(
Kosher 4 May 2020, 17:11
+42 -0
Is Sameer D on a similar break like Alina?
No 4 May 2020, 21:09
+2 -0
No.
NOA 4 May 2020, 17:10
+17 -44
Alina stood out in the motley crowd at Luthera. A feisty woman with brains and confidence to challenge MS. Obvious outcome followed. ache din beckon her.
Trillegal 4 May 2020, 17:47
+17 -43
Alina is fantastic at what she does. All the best Alina, keep on shining.
The Tweet of God 4 May 2020, 18:14
+9 -1
If Luthra HR doesn't start spinning a story on her massive cost or SAM's decision to have hired her in Covid times, it is not worth it.
Insider Luthra 5 May 2020, 09:39
+38 -0
There is no HR here. We have only interns manager
Anonymously 4 May 2020, 18:32
+20 -4
An equity partner in Covid times when the other EPs are meant to bear the brunt! Wah SAM wah!
All the best! 4 May 2020, 18:44
+20 -37
Wow, so many dislikes in the comments! Alina was one of the few sane voices within the firm. She tried a lot to contribute to administrative processes within the firm and introduce better practices. Wish her all the best for a new chapter.
Question? 5 May 2020, 02:20
+33 -3
Did beri not used to do this work? How this will play is interesting. Most of Alina's (not all) clients were RKL's clients. So to that extent, she will continue to be in an execution role with a larger canvas which is excellent for her.
Alina Arora 5 May 2020, 05:44
+18 -33
It's true that she was one of the very few voices of reason in the firm. That elusive equity has resulted in so many good people leaving the firm it's not funny! All that the 2 seem to care for are their fancy farm houses and cars!!
216 5 May 2020, 06:31
+30 -3
How many people have moved with her? Is Multi-faceted euphemism for jack of all trades? Thought she was white collar and employment. Press release says m and a insurance defence !
Best 5 May 2020, 11:39
+2 -38
Personality Personified!
Truly warmly sincerely 5 May 2020, 12:27
+0 -1
Kian, why did you not publish my comment? Just because it was pro Luthra.

[Ed: Now published with minor edit]
ChanduPrakash 6 May 2020, 09:46
+2 -0
There would have been a time when AMSS (as it was then known) would have not touched a lateral lawyer with a barge pole. Oh how the mighty have come to their senses.
As for Luthra....the good ones are all but gone. Waiting for the time when CSS also break away from the Titanic. The CSS outfit joining another firm would be a THUDD!! in the law firm community ... and a nail in the coffin for the SMS.
Explain 6 May 2020, 10:49
+0 -2
What is CSS?
DDD 6 May 2020, 11:58
+0 -1
What is SMS?
Explained 6 May 2020, 12:55
+1 -2
CSS are the 3 lit partners, I assume
007 6 May 2020, 13:03
+1 -0
Chandhok, Sharma and Sondhi - the litigation side of L&L.
Hoo 6 May 2020, 18:43
+4 -3
Yeah the good side of the firm. The fun to work side of the firm. The humane and down to earth side of the firm. As opposed to the oppressor, the mean one and the insecure one.
Pitigation 9 May 2020, 12:12
+6 -0
Luthra Lit? Paid half of what corporate gets paid. We get phone allowance quarter of what corporate gets. It's a shit place. Lit's bank is Yes Bank while Corporate banks with Axis. Even our bank is doomed.
Yesterday 7 May 2020, 01:17
+5 -5
You forgot to mention Shiv Sapra. He’s been there since forever, dude!
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