Shardul Amarchand (Chudasama) poaches Khaitan partner Abhay Sharma

Wednesday, 16 September 2015 By Legally India Law firms

Khaitan & Co Mumbai associate partner Abhay Sharma will join Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas in Mumbai, reported Bar & Bench.

Mumbai managing partner Akshay Chudasama told Legally India that he welcomed him on board and he would be an asset to the firm, complimenting the firm’s transaction practice.

Sharma was promoted to associate partner level earlier this year at Khaitan in a round of 18 salaried partner and 5 equity partner promotions.

He had joined Khaitan in 2013 from Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) where he had started his career, interrupted by stints at Dua Associates and BMR Advisors. He is a graduate of NLIU Bhopal.

We have reached out to Khaitan & Co for comment.

Update: Khaitan partner Rabindra Jhunjhunwala commented: “Great guy and going on best of terms. We will always wish him the best in his new role.”

partner hiresShardul Amarchand MangaldasKhaitan & Co

Comments

anoynm 16 Sept 2015, 16:12
+0 -0
sam is going all out!
Baxa 16 Sept 2015, 16:31
+6 -2
Amazing guy to work with!! wishing him the best of luck
Bhukkad 17 Sept 2015, 08:42
+4 -2
what is book size please?
Trident 16 Sept 2015, 17:14
+1 -0
How much would Associate Partners be paid at SAM ??
Anand 16 Sept 2015, 17:54
+6 -1
Another BIG partner from a former Express Towers law firm is going to join soon!! This will be a game-changer as never before in a law firm would there have been so many stars in one office. If Shardul can pull it off, then SAM would emerge as the clear numero uno by miles! But can he pull this one off?
Rose 17 Sept 2015, 11:36
+4 -0
Have you given it away by your handle?
Causing mischief? 16 Sept 2015, 18:24
+6 -0
Kian, why keep referring to the firm as Shardul Amarchand (Chudasama)? Why not Shardul Amarchand Mumbai?
Of course sounds very much like Akshay asked you to.... Just like he referred to CZB as it was then known as, as Chudasama Zia Bahram!
kianganz 17 Sept 2015, 04:02
+4 -4
Because SAM is structured in such a way to ostensibly give a lot of autonomy to local managing partners.

Chudasama joining SAM Mumbai has been pretty transformative, and he is running Mumbai pretty independently it seems and has been behind a lot of the hires made.

Hence, the tongue in cheek use of SA(C).
Interesting but not True 17 Sept 2015, 05:45
+6 -1
CZB meant Chambers of Zia and Bahram and not Chudasama Zia Bahram.
Varmaji 16 Sept 2015, 18:42
+7 -0
Badhai ho sharmaji.
ceo 16 Sept 2015, 20:29
+10 -0
Kian, why do you mention Chudasma's name in the bracket ?? You can just mention SAM Mumbai rite.. You don't follow this practice for other firms.. Do you mention AZB (Ajay) for Azb Delhi ?? Unless you want to promote Chudasma's name in the law firm fraternity!!
Ki Re 16 Sept 2015, 21:58
+26 -3
While credit goes to SAM for hiring quality, its really commendable to see Khaitan acknowledge their ex-counsels contribution! Very professional and mature.
Ki Re 16 Sept 2015, 21:59
+1 -1
Can someone confirm how many lawyers (all levels) are working at SAM right now?
Comparative chart 17 Sept 2015, 02:22
+3 -0
Kian,
Now would be a good time to do the comparative hiring chart you were running of hires by SAM and CAM.
Bling 17 Sept 2015, 05:23
+3 -0
Ah but that would show the complete mismatch it has been!!! Do that and cause embarrassment to CAM? No way Kian would do that
kianganz 17 Sept 2015, 06:02
+2 -1
We've lost count to be honest... Need to collate all of them again to update the table.

Not sure why it needs to be said, but we have no horse in this race...
bling 17 Sept 2015, 09:52
+3 -0
Ah but you do.. Kian's horses_ CAM and Khaitan, peeves Trilegal, Luthra and SAM
kianganz 17 Sept 2015, 09:57
+2 -2
If I could be bothered, I'd dig out comments saying exactly the opposite a year or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 ago, but really, if you make extraordinary claims, it should be up to you to do the digging... Why don't you back up your horse theory with some evidence as to why you think all of these are either my horse or not my horse, rather than just a vague feeling of upset at one firm not getting enough coverage or getting too much negative coverage of negative things that happen to them...
Hare and tortoise 17 Sept 2015, 05:24
+0 -0
Classic case here
NLIU 17 Sept 2015, 05:15
+2 -2
Another NLIU grad doing great! Kudos.. to him, SAM for a great catch and to KCO as well.. for their mature response!
shank 17 Sept 2015, 06:17
+3 -3
a very good lawyer and a super dude to work with!! nice catch by SAM.
Congrats 17 Sept 2015, 06:57
+6 -3
Congrats on the move and the wedding, Abhay!
#SamStarHires 17 Sept 2015, 07:14
+2 -4
Chuva need hire someone BIG into banking and capital markets? Shameek can do both.
Better 17 Sept 2015, 07:45
+3 -1
Chuvaroon!
Scooter- 18 Sept 2015, 06:10
+1 -2
Such a sham he is
Litigation 18 Sept 2015, 01:56
+6 -0
Well, it seems SAM is doing big ticket hirings by the practice area... And one practice area is still left, the one SAM Delhi is most known for.... Litigation... It will be interesting to see which litigation star does SAM get in for Mumbai... Would it be someone from Express Towers or India Bulls, or one of its erstwhile studs who is currently coiled up in Peninsula Chambers... Time will tell, but Given that SAM has been hiring like crazy, it seems to me it wont be long before Kian announces the Litigation Star hired by SAM for Mumbai...
ZZZZB 20 Sept 2015, 09:24
+1 -1
isn't Ameya Gokhale the partner handling Litigation for SAM in Mumbai?!!
Or you mean 1 more star?
green lantern 18 Sept 2015, 06:16
+0 -0
mckenna's gold played out with all trusting sam the man.good luck.
Xyz 18 Sept 2015, 19:47
+4 -0
It's amazing as everyone expected that SAM would not succeed in Mumbai. Fortune and tables are reversed today and everyone is applauding Shardul's canny business sense and ability to keep a cool head and not jump the gun. Inspite of family he has hired exceedingly well and overcome his own insecurities to hire people who will add to his name and goodwill in the market. Very different from the lack of quality hired by CAM in Delhi who are not doing well. Kian it's time to run the comparative table.
Agree completely 20 Sept 2015, 15:54
+2 -0
SAM Mumbai is full of Tier-1 stars whereas CAM Delhi is full of random Tier-2 and 3 recruits many of whom have conflicting practice areas with each other. Kian, table please (I so don't want to have to make one on a Sunday night).
Commenting is closed for this article.