Khaitan & Co disputes partner Sachin Mandlik is going independent, as had first been reported by Bar & Bench. Meanwhile, we understand that Khaitan is in advanced stages of finalising several senior hires in the space, and it vowed to expand its disputes presence both in Bangalore and Mumbai.

Mandlik had joined the firm’s Mumbai office in 2013 from Legasis Partners, where he was also a partner since 2007.

He is a 1997 GLC Mumbai graduate who is also a qualified solicitor of the Bombay Incorporate Law Society (BILS).

Khaitan executive director Amar Sinhji confirmed in a a statement: “Sachin has decided to set up his own practice as an independent advocate. We support his decision to branch out on his own. We value his contribution to the growth of our Disputes practice in Mumbai and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours. ”

“The disputes practice is a focused area of growth for us in Mumbai & Bangalore and will see a scale up in the short term.”

Yesterday, JSA partner Ravichandra Hegde had also announced that he would become an independent counsel.