NDA loses 3 senior leaders: Pratibha Jain goes Everstone as Adanis get Devaiah • Simone Reis, Rajesh Simhan start new firm

Monday, 5 April 2021 By Legally India Law firms

Delhi-based Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) leader Pratibha Jain has joined Everstone Group as general counsel (GC) with her predecessor Devaiah PM set to join the Adani Group as group general counsel, moneycontrol.

We understand she will be joining next month.

We have also confirmed Jain’s move, and have reached out to her and NDA managing partner Nishith Desai for comment.

Update 6 April: Desai commented: “I am happy they are embarking on a new journey to start their own firm or join our client family. We continue to remain great friends and bless them in their new endeavours. In conformity with our culture and distributed leadership model, they leave behind a number of competent leaders, letting us feel no void.”

Jain had set up NDA’s Delhi office in 2011, having joined from Goldman Sachs India where she was legal head.

This follows NDA leaders Simone Reis and Rajesh Simhan, who have set up a new law firm, Anagram Legal. Bar & Bench had first reported their move last week, following a Linked-in update by the founders.

Reis was co-head of the firm’s M&A practice, while Simhan was leading international tax at NDA.

Their new firm is called Anagram Partners and is based in Mumbai.

We have reached out to Reis and Desai for comment.

Pratibha JainWork history From: Sep 2011: Partner, Nishith Desai Associates (New Delhi) Mar 2007 - Mar 2011: Vice President and Counsel, Goldman Sachs (Mumbai) May 2005 - Mar 2007: Associate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates (Hong Kong) Oct 2004 - Mar 2005: Visiting Lecturer, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong) Oct 2000 - Sep 2004: Associate, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (New York)Education 1992 - 1995: Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Economics 1995 - 1998: Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law 1998 - 1999: University of Oxford, Bachelor of Civil Laws, Law 1999 - 2000: Harvard University, Master of Laws (LLM), LawSimone ReisWork history From: Apr 2021: Partner, Anagram PartnersSelf-employed (Mumbai) 2013 - Apr 2021: Co-Head M&A Practice, Nishith Desai Associates Sep 2009 - 2013: Senior Associate, Nishith Desai Associates 2009 - 2011: Senior Associate, Nishith Desai Associates Nov 2009 - Jan 2010: Legal Intern, Schellenberg Wittmer Aug 2005 - Jul 2008: Senior Associate, DSK LegalEducation Bombay Scottish School, , 2000 - 2005: Government Law College, Mumbai, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law 2008 - 2009: Duke University School of Law, LLM, Corporate, Finance, and Securities LawRajesh SimhanWork history From: Apr 2021: Partner, Anagram PartnersFull-time (Mumbai) Sep 2008 - Mar 2021: Partner, Nishith Desai AssociatesFull-time (India)Education 1999 - 2004: National Law School of India University, , 2007 - 2008: Georgetown University Law Center, ,

Comments

NDa 5 Apr 2021, 05:01

+23 -0

Leaders are leading the way.

GetSetGo 5 Apr 2021, 05:07

+4 -0

ND leading from the front. IPL has already began.

Jhankar Beats 5 Apr 2021, 05:14

+3 -0

Listen to soulful music. it will help for sure.

Dilli 5 Apr 2021, 05:22

+6 -1

What will happen to the car park basement office in Dilli?

NeverThrowStone 5 Apr 2021, 05:32

+1 -0

Office will be there.

NDA Doomed 6 Apr 2021, 04:29

+5 -1

The Def Col office has been vacated long ago. The lawyers in Delhi have been working remotely and they're looking for office space. Seems like soon they won't even need it.

Parking wala 6 Apr 2021, 05:24

+2 -0

..so I can now park my car there!

advai 9 Apr 2021, 05:48

Wasn't the dilli office in the basement of Pratibha's residence?

Happening 5 Apr 2021, 05:26

+7 -1

Lots is happening.

UBO 5 Apr 2021, 05:41

+5 -0

Who is the real beneficiary? Founder or Leader?

DeshKiJanta 5 Apr 2021, 05:48

Legal Fraternity is the beneficiary. Lets have departure pe charcha.

Anagram 5 Apr 2021, 06:14

Has some massive names coming up.

Hearsay 5 Apr 2021, 06:17

+17 -2

These 3 are only public. More ppl have left / are about to leave shortly.

NDA has become a joke - with the top management more bothered about plans and forms rather than actual work. At a time when ppl are leaving - they're priority is still not people, and never will be. But as long as Ft innovative awards come - don't care clearly.

Kya kar loge jaan ke 5 Apr 2021, 06:27

+14 -0

NDA BLR Corp head has also left and the last remaining ‘good’ senior in Bombay Corp team is on his notice period.

Kaun 5 Apr 2021, 07:00

+0 -0

Woh kaun hai? Batao Batao.

Who? 5 Apr 2021, 07:10

Who was NDA Blr corp head who left? Name please. There is nothing confidential here if he/she has already left.

RSG 5 Apr 2021, 06:29

FT awards are also not coming by!

Whistleofoz 9 Apr 2021, 10:35

+3 -1

It is a deeper crisis. Ppl are not just irritated but are concerned about the future of NDA.

exNDA 5 Apr 2021, 06:59

Watching the crumbling of NDA from close quarters, it's a surprise that people don't seem to be discussing 2 things.

1. [...]

2. Lack of a concrete succession plan, [...].

I think that it's just ND killing the golden goose [...]

Liason office 5 Apr 2021, 18:52

That's the most relevant point, mate. Anyone who has worked there or with her will tell you, that's the only think they peddled.... and that dried up in 2014. Guess what happened in 2014????

Guest 5 Apr 2021, 07:02

+10 -4

People may not know, but Pratibha Jain is the wife of the VC of Jindal Law School!

WoW 5 Apr 2021, 08:15

+25 -2

How is this relevant to the conversation?

Beeswax 5 Apr 2021, 08:15

+2 -2

And that is relevant how? Funny how you feel that giving this information may be related to the move or has something to do with it in any manner that you feel the need to give it out.
Nunya beezwax.

Speculations 5 Apr 2021, 07:21

+6 -0

Rumor mills suggest that some headline making news is expected at Anagram - big names (from big places) are headed to boost this place. @kian - any inside news on this?

BigName 5 Apr 2021, 08:07

+15 -3

Yes, NMD is joining Anagram

Curipusgirl 5 Apr 2021, 08:36

+2 -7

What is Anagram? An existing or upcoming law firm?

..? 5 Apr 2021, 09:04

+18 -0

Just read the writeup you're commenting on?

Read 5 Apr 2021, 09:06

May help to read the article, as opposed to just the comments!!

Big 5 Apr 2021, 12:56

+26 -2

Yes heard Shuva mandal is setting that shop up

SarcasticLawyer 5 Apr 2021, 13:48

If they can call them followers, then might as well say BHAKTS directly. It is another NDA after all.

Another ELP 6 Apr 2021, 10:20

What’s with the corp practices at both these places - completely decimated

Both back to being ‘tax’ firms

TaxFree 6 Apr 2021, 16:46

With Rajesh departing, will they save the Tax Tag? Maybe with NMD they will.

Guest 7 Apr 2021, 08:57

They have Parul Jain who is a seasoned tax practitioner. Meyya Nagappan is also there. So that's salvageable.

Parole 8 Apr 2021, 11:53

Okay

AAP 10 Apr 2021, 01:52

Great moniker that says it all. I like it.

AAP 10 Apr 2021, 02:02

+2 -3

With these they will be able to just save the tag but not the practice or the firm.

Taxguy 14 May 2021, 17:58

ND has also brought back Dhruv Sanghvi who wrote a book in his honour. They guy is a prof in Netherland... [...]

Crucial difference 22 May 2021, 06:39

Not wrote. "Edited".

Interesting 5 Apr 2021, 11:35

@kian why don't you write about who hasn't left NDA's corp team (or who all are unable to move)!
it will be an easier article to put together..

Patience please 5 Apr 2021, 18:21

+11 -1

Kian will get to that after he has finished compiling the “who is really left at luthra” list. Every time he completes it, there are more updates to add!!

Ex-NDAite 5 Apr 2021, 11:46

+7 -4

Having worked with all 3 (and the others who have left / are leaving) - can vouch that this is a huge loss for NDA.

Rajesh, Simone and Pratibha are extremely committed to client delivery, and were a pleasure to work with! Rajesh will sorely be missed by not just his team, but all other teams as well.

All the best for your next journey people!

SarcasticLawyer 5 Apr 2021, 12:41

Any news on the promotions at NDA this year? [img]https://media0.giphy.com/media/J5jiSSrEkV3Kd8iOwb/200.gif[/img]

Leader Leader..Yes NMD 5 Apr 2021, 13:28

Everyone is a leader except NMD! What more do you want? Senior Leader and junior leader (rather try and have juniors/followers na!)

GoGo 5 Apr 2021, 16:22

+27 -0

Associate Leader
Principal Associate Leader
Salaried Leader
No Salary Leader
NPT Leader
BKC Leader
Bangalur Leader
Dilli Leader
SVO Leader
NY Leader
Munich Leader
Shingnapur Leader

- By Imaginary Leader

Parking wala 6 Apr 2021, 05:27

..just like you had several levels of principals at Advaita Legal once!

NDAite-ex,thankfully 5 Apr 2021, 13:38

Where is the retreat this year? Is NMD taking everyone to la la land?

Retreat 5 Apr 2021, 16:19

To imagine At Imaginarium.

Retreat 5 Apr 2021, 19:01

The retreat is at the research center or whatever else the monstrosity at Ali Baug is called![img]https://media2.giphy.com/media/BcecfiGFLByCs/200.gif[/img]

advai 9 Apr 2021, 05:40

Will leave it to your 'imagination'.

VirtualRetreat 6 Apr 2021, 16:48

+7 -0

With all the technaalaagy that they have, it will be a virtual retreat.

advai 9 Apr 2021, 05:46

Contested

+1 -1

NMD likes to boast about technology [...]. He has made tall claims that NDA (not the National Defence Academy or National Democratic Alliance) has military grade network security. But there have been major leaks at the firm [...]. That and the manner in which NMD has dealt with it are the primary cause for several exits. That is the real story.

Almost ex-wel wisher 6 Apr 2021, 02:17

It is evident that most of the comments are from present/ ex NDA employees. This happens every time article about NDA is published. Why is this hatred?
Time for introspection. Or, is it too late?

Latest 6 Apr 2021, 05:13

+12 -0

A new committee must be appointed for inrrospection. Its mecessary.

Guest 6 Apr 2021, 05:48

+1 -4

Angry Birds and disgruntled ex/ former ‘ let goes ‘ of NDA in full swing ! NDA is so on your mind, to hate you first need to remember ha ! Good luck keeping it alive 😊

Hombay Bouse 6 Apr 2021, 07:19

+9 -5

Mhuva Sandal sends regards to Ana&Gram!!

Anonie 4 Jun 2021, 13:21

Bonnie & Clyde have a great ride

NDA_Family_Member 15 Apr 2021, 09:35

+2 -1

Talking of family - what happened to Noopur and Suril? Don't see them in the firm members list.

Seeker 19 May 2021, 10:52

+0 -1

The king has spoke. Time to bump up this thread after Shuva's move to Anagram.

Commenting is closed for this article.