Young 8-partner team managed by Nalsar ‘14 grad Sid Nayak starts 5-city firm Atharva with Moody GC, Jamia ’11 grad

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Tuesday, 23 January 2018 By Prachi Shrivastava Law firms

Atharva Legal managing partner Nayak (2nd from left): Equal focus on litigation and corporate
Atharva Legal managing partner Nayak (2nd from left): Equal focus on litigation and corporate

Nalsar Hyderabad 2014 alumnus Siddharth Nayak, credit rating agency Moody’s former general counsel Gyanendra Mishra and Jamia Milia 2011 alumnus Suresh Sharma have co-founded litigation and corporate commercial firm Atharva Legal in January 2018, as a 30-lawyer outfit across six cities to majorly act for US businesses coming into India.

The firm has offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ranchi and Pune.

Atharva’s managing partner Nayak, commenting on the firm’s founding, said: “The rationale was to provide solid litigation-cum-corporate support for mostly US companies coming into the Indian market.

“[We will act for] a few other SAARC countries as well.”

He added that the opening up of foreign direct investment into India has given a push to law firms other than in the top tier due to the fact that many top tier firms do not usually have similar standards in both litigation and corporate expertise and the businesses end up having to engage two different entities.

“We as a firm intend to work in the lines of Karanjawala & Co [or other big litigation firms] but without counting out corporate and banking practices,” Nayak said.

He said that each of Atharva’s partners have experience working on the legal panel of public sector undertakings and independently have multinational corporations as clients.

The team

Nayak was a counsel for the Enforcement Directorate of India (ED) since April 2015 before founding and becoming the managing partner in Atharva.

Sharma, a 2011 Jamia Milia graduate, had been a legal consultant for the home ministry since August 2012.

Mishra, a Delhi University 1999 alumnus had stints with Bhasin & Co and Accenture before serving as general counsel at Moody’s.

Atharva currently has five partners other than the three founders and 22 associates.

The partners include:

  • former Nalsar lecturer Rachna Bollu Reddy, who was practising independently in the Andhra Pradesh high court for the last four years,
  • RGNUL Patiala 2012 alumnus Vaibhav Choudhary, who was also practising independently in the Supreme Court for the last two years,
  • Nayak’s Nalsar batchmate Sagar Devgan, who has had stints at Hero MotorCorp and Platinum Partners, before Atharva,
  • Symbiosis Pune 2016 alumni Mridula Vijairaghavan, and
  • Jamia Milia Islamia 2011-batch Vikram Singh.

Nayak is based in Delhi and the other partners are spread across the firm’s other five offices, he said.Nayak said that it took Atharva two years to put together the current team and ensure that there was no conflict with the team’s previous places of work.

Start-up Law FirmsSiddharth NayakGyanendra MishraSuresh SharmaAtharva LegalSupreme Court

Comments

Gopu 23 Jan 2018, 13:49
+53 -14
Ye news padh kar main blackout ho raha hun #CPC
O 39 R 1&2 24 Jan 2018, 01:35
+16 -6
You never even got an interim relief
#CPC 28 Jan 2018, 18:56
+0 -0
" Random law school CPC scorers ko basic 7/11 concept poocha toh asman dekhney lagey. R/w ka concept door ki baat hai , Kabhi admission/denial karwaya hoga toh badi baat hai. Bhai tera CPC toh waise BHI blacked out hai for all practical purposes before the bench and in the stages of trial even if you were a CPC topper in law school. Registry clerk key understanding sey BHI kharab hoga tera concept. Law school key bahar duniya alag hai , certified C aur gazzetd G na ban. Bakar na Kar. Issues frame honey sey pehley hi dsimiss ho Jayega tera matter. Padh Lena Saleem Bhai v/s State of Maharashtra for O7R11. Cause list Dekh Kar saarey abbreviations bata dega about type of matters in a HC toh badi baat hai. You are either Kisi aur key matter mein Vakalatnama pey naam likhakey khush honey walla ya fir you are one of those who seek Passovers/Adjournments and run from court to court marking the display board for a senior . At your age or probably lesser than your age someone has more number of recorded orders/panels and a practice than you can't possibly afford in the next 5 years of your career. So stop trolling those who have their own independent practice good enough to earn and manage and sustain themselves in he profession more than you are doing or can do and more importantly are far superior to you so far career growth is concerned. I am pretty sure the guy/girl trolling has never ever in his life argued before the bench on an effective hearing and speaks about procedural laws "- litigation lawyer.

#fact
#seniorcounsel 29 Jan 2018, 01:53
+7 -1
I died a painful death long back when PP Rao's daughter in law Mahalaxmi got designated as senior counsel in SC. #CPC
Gopu 2 23 Jan 2018, 14:04
+31 -13
Boil hai
Gopu 3 23 Jan 2018, 14:51
+26 -19
ED should investigate how they hired him and then investigate this firm!
Gopu 3 23 Jan 2018, 14:54
+15 -43
Congrats Sidharth bhaiyya! Superb lawyer and best senior!
Dhoni mahi 23 Jan 2018, 14:56
+11 -7
Ranchi seems to be the flavour of the season!
Causelist 24 Jan 2018, 01:42
+10 -3
Indeed. The causelist records speak about bulk of civil litigation . Off course the HC doesn't exist for parking facilities :)!
Rather hard? 23 Jan 2018, 19:24
+24 -15
"Each of the partners has multinational corporations as clients" - Give me a break!

And with lawyers who are [young] as partners, the man rates himself and his firm on par with Karanjawala & Co. Bhai, ye toh alag kism ki bakchodi hain.
kianganz 24 Jan 2018, 05:57
+11 -1
We have made an edit to that quote, as requested by the firm - I think the intent was not to say they were on par with Karanjawala necessarily but that they would follow a similar model.
The Cardinal 24 Jan 2018, 04:10
+23 -22
Heartiest Congratulations, Siddharth. I've known this guy for years now, and can only say that he is extremely knowledgeable, enterprising and committed. His professionalism is something that everyone is aware of. He is a fabulous Lawyer and am confident that he will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that his new venture is a magnificent success. Let the detractors go screw themselves. I wish him all the very best for this endeavour and pray that he is blessed with success.
Alias 24 Jan 2018, 07:55
+19 -11
A 2014 grad is the managing partner? In most firms worth their salt, he may not even be an SA.

[img]https://media2.giphy.com/media/xYHscQ1Np55i8/200.gif[/img]
Vakil Babu 24 Jan 2018, 09:07
+29 -14
I'm seriously appalled by the kind of comments that have cropped up on this thread. It is disappointing to see that trolls are running amok with trivial comments, deviating people's attention from the main purpose of the article - to showcase that various people have come together to establish a new Firm with a set ambition. Why does everything boil down to graduation and PQE? Does entrepreneurship or the desire to take a different route not amount to anything? Why do we need to be blind towards someone who has the guts to take a leap? These comments are perfect example of people commenting just because they want to say something - however baseless or impractical their statements may be. Let us at least appreciate the drive and zeal that has led to the creation of this new Firm and look out for the work done by them in the future!
jackal 24 Jan 2018, 10:37
+10 -6
All the best! As a fellow 2014 grad (one who still has to write a full fledged cover letter along with attaching CV for being considered for an "opportunity to be interviewed"), this is La La Land
Alias 28 Jan 2018, 03:36
+3 -0
https://youtu.be/ryJFmQH8Dn0
Hyd Counsel 24 Jan 2018, 10:45
+19 -9
I have worked with Siddharth Sir , Rachna Ma'am and Mridula Ma'am. The comments here shows nothing but pettiness of few people who . They got a stay in Kalleswaram Lift Irrigation Project valued at 80000 Crores against Phoenix Legal Team and Snr Counsel Mukul Rohatgi .Anyone who has worked with the team knows that they are completely professional from the field analysis to the submissions before the bench. Really Exceptional team to work with who showed me how futile and useless boutique firm associates and partners are. I was hoping they would come together soon and this is brilliant news. Rachna Ma'am is super awesome in Hyd High Court
Nisha Chugh 24 Jan 2018, 13:36
+14 -6
Many congrats to team Atharva
Guest 24 Jan 2018, 15:32
+11 -12
Having worked with Siddharth Sir extensively in the past, I can vouch on his professionalism and work ethics. These kinds of demeaning comments just show the kind of level to which some people can stoop to! Not many people achieve things at such a young age, if nothing be graceful about it. Constructive criticism is healthy but the abovementioned comments certainly don't fall in that category.
Sukhi 24 Jan 2018, 17:51
+1 -0
Atharva should concentrate on defence procurement as well. Good practice area and there is always Sukhoi udane ke liye
cynnical C 25 Jan 2018, 03:04
+13 -5
Hello ,

I am a firm associate who have zero existanace if I don't work under a banner . I couldn't figure out how to develop one's own practice. So I will sit in my firm at Saket and be petty , jealous and cynnical about a bunch of people who have their own practice and a batchmate who has managed to establish his own firm and clientele in the profession which I can't do nor have the acumen to do the same. So what do I do ? I open up Legally India during my Vella hours , and wow!! Anonymous comment :D ! No link to any email/ Facebook account !! Let's write some really pretty and eman comments and vent my frustration out !! Superb
So it's me who needs to introspect my life and think why I am incapable of doing the same and someone else is and then get back to my petty office politics and bitch about the same to few other people while convincing myself that the conventional way in profession is the only way and anyone who is enterprising , entreprunal and has managed to figure out about how not to depend on anyone else for his career must be condemned and ridiculed. Wow! Some life I Have :)!

------

That said ,having known Siddharth and ,Rachna from NALSAR I exactly know what this team is capable of.I searched Rachna's name and saw the causelist in Hyd High Court. Siddharth has a practice and clientele that people who been in profession over 10 years also can't manage. I have known that Suresh Sharma and Siddharth been working together since college days. The kind of people they are , they don't give a flying F about a bunch of such petty , jealous , frustrated and individually incapable idiots. So all the best to the Team and may they achevive roaring success!
Bored 25 Jan 2018, 03:51
+17 -2
If your firm is in Saket you are not having any litigation practice anyway.
Lol litigation 27 Jan 2018, 18:48
+6 -2
Botique firms don't have litigation practice eitherways . They mark matters to senior counsels and the partner often and a dumb smile standing besides senior. Associates have zero effective hearing presence before bench and go years without having the opportunity to argue ( not that they should argue since it's not "their"matter . Gopu guy might be one of them :/ ). Seeking passovers and adjournments don't count as having a career in litigation gopu :)! If only the partners or associates hear what the senior counsel's office say about them after they leave post conference...lol
Good Initiative 25 Jan 2018, 04:23
+12 -4
The negative comments look like one frustrated and petty law firm associate who must be knowing the people in the team and is dying from within at his own inability to achieve what these people have done . Lol :D . As if he is ever going to manage what Mr. Gyanendra and his team has achieved both individually and collectively. I bet the guy is so frustrated that he has nothing better in his life to do but to burn from within and keep following this comment trail and ooze his pettiness out. Lol.
Gender Police 26 Jan 2018, 15:29
+3 -1
Did you just assume the gender of the frustrated and petty law firm associate?
Bakchod Police 28 Jan 2018, 08:03
+5 -0
The article has more punctuation , sementical and grammar errors than all the typograohical errors in the entire comments section put together.
Gopu Guy Logic 25 Jan 2018, 06:40
+14 -5
I am slogging at a senior's office /firm for a payscale that is probably less than office running express of a decent chamber office too. I don't have clientele of my own to do something like this nor do I have the ability to generate a revenue to even sustain my salary and yay! I shall mock those who have managed to do something which I can't.
kianganz 25 Jan 2018, 06:45
+8 -0
Ok, I'm a bit confused, but maybe I am missing subtext here - Gopu guy's comment doesn't seem that horrible, other than a bit snarky that he/she thinks the news is boring?
Guest 25 Jan 2018, 10:16
+12 -5
Congratulations Sir, you are an inspiration. The most intellect part is your field works, putting urself in to the toughest situation to feel the pain of ur clients. I was amazed seeing ur courage to get in to the tiger zone, to protect their habitat from the illegal activities(developments)carried on by the government. Ur a Hero...


I look forward to work under you!!!
Gopu 26 Jan 2018, 13:33
+11 -4
Omg this is amazing. I once committed murder to feel the pain of my client. Now I am searching for lawyer myself. Am I elegible for 40% pro bono?
Gopu has no life 26 Jan 2018, 14:47
+1 -0
[b]You certainly sound like you need pro bono since the IQ levels you seem to possess won't fetch you enough to pay your lawyer's fees - and you're sure to fail if you stand party in person. Perhaps Atharva Legal can help you poor, downtrodden soul pro bono. :) [/b]
Gopu has no balls 26 Jan 2018, 14:57
+7 -2
You certainly seem to need pro bono since the low IQ and low salary from your pathetic job can't possibly bear a lawyer's fee. You're also sure to screw up if you appear party in person - (gentle reminder about the low IQ). So I suppose you should get in touch with Atharva Legal for help pro bono.
Gopu is Genius ! 26 Jan 2018, 18:55
+6 -0
Bhai aap law key deniya key Rahul Gandhi Ho ! Leave this and keep doing your job that pays your internet bill which otherwise you cant afford
Guest 25 Jan 2018, 10:41
+12 -5
Jobless people commenting here without having proper knowledge about his ability and work ll not harm his success, coz he ll keep doing what he does with true spirit. Advise for those who feel that being 2014 pass out you can't be at a platform that he holds : wish you wouldnt have spent ur life poking others job or u too might have excelled... Good Luck!!!
YashK 25 Jan 2018, 11:15
+14 -6
So, I have no clue why there are so many people going against such a commendable initiative by Siddarth Sir. If I may suggest, please do have an interaction with him and watch yourself be silenced because at some point of time or the other, you will definitely be outsmarted by this person and you'll want to tuck your tail between your legs and go home whining.
All these offensive statements won't stop him and he will continue to reach new heights and will continue to inspire all those around him.
All the best sir! Looking up to you!
Shaggy 28 Jan 2018, 07:42
+11 -6
Arey Sagar bhai, ab Qatar mein bike race kab karoge
someone 16 Feb 2018, 09:11
+2 -0
congrats team Atharva! :)
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