Ex-Reed Smith India lawyer, NLS alum joins DLA Dubai as director

Wednesday, 13 July 2011 By Legally India Law firms

Former Reed Smith senior associate and dual-qualified Diwakar Agarwal has joined DLA Piper’s Middle-Eastern practice as legal director in the firm’s Dubai office to focus on India-related legal work flowing into the region.

Diwakar, who is a pass-out of NLSIU Bangalore and a Chevening scholar, specialises in corporate law matters including private equity, M&A and projects in the Middle East and in India, according to a press statement issued by DLA Piper.

He will support DLA Piper’s Middle East-India practice that already services Indian clients across the Middle East and advises Indian companies investing in the region.

DLA Piper regional managing partner Middle East Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al-Yaqout said in the release: “We believe the number of Indian firms looking to expand and invest into the Middle East and Africa is about to dramatically increase.”

“Diwakar brings with him strong experience that will benefit the regional firm as a whole, as well as our growing specialist Indian practice.”

DLA Piper’s India group comprises over 180 lawyers based in offices worldwide and the integrated team focuses on inbound and outbound India-related business opportunities.

Reed Smith London-based India group partner Gautam Bhattacharyya said: “We were sad to see Diwaker go, but wish him every success at DLA and he remains a good friend of many of us here at Reed Smith.”

Comments

Vinod Joseph 13 Jul 2011, 08:25

+1 -1

Congratulations Diwakar. All the very best!

A 13 Jul 2011, 08:36

What is the role of a legal director ? I think previously Biswajit Chatterjee was elevated to partnership In DLA's Singapore office from the role of a legal director !

Anonymous 13 Jul 2011, 09:08

For most City firms, the title of a Director usually means a position in another associated entity of the partnership, usually in a different jurisdiction or another entity for other regulatory reasons. However, if you notice the filings made to the SRA by such firms they would disclose that for regulatory purposes the terms Directors and Partners are used interchangeably.

Director v Legal Director 14 Jul 2011, 08:35

+2 -0

Not quite correct; the title of "legal director" is being increasingly used by City firms as a halfway house between senior associate and partner. I doubt that Reed Smith is any different. It is a way to recognise people who the firm might consider worthy of elevation to partnership, but doing so immediately would dilute the equity and bring down PEP figures.

Satyajit Gupta 15 Jul 2011, 07:11

+1 -0

Congratulations, Diwakar! Wish you the very best!

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