Two Khaitan Mumbai partner mother-daughter duo to leave for Cyril Amarchand: Pooja Patel, Daksha Baxi

Friday, 13 April 2018 By Legally India Law firms

Pooja Patel, Daksha Baxi to leave Khaitan
Pooja Patel, Daksha Baxi to leave Khaitan

Khaitan & Co Mumbai corporate associate partner Pooja Patel, and tax practice executive director Daksha Baxi have tendered their resignations.

Update 22:56: Both will be joining Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, we have confirmed from several sources.

Update 14 April 2018, 12:07: Competition co-head Avaantika Kakkar is also due to join CAM.

CAM managing partner Cyril Shroff was not reachable for comment.

Executive director for HR, Amar Sinhji, confirmed their leaving and commented: “Dakshi Baxi (executive director) from our tax practice and Pooja Patel (associate partner) from the corporate practice have decided to pursue opportunities outside the firm. We acknowledge their immense contribution to the growth of our firm and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.”

Corporate lawyer Patel is a qualified Bombay Incorporated Law Society solicitor with an LLB degree from GLC Mumbai. She was promoted to associate partner in 2016

She had joined Khaitan in 2009 from AZB & Partners, where she had worked after three years as an articled clerk at Wadia Ghandy between 2004 and 2007.

Baxi is a qualified accountant and lawyer, who had joined Khaitan in 2007. She holds a 1973 degree from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Khaitan & Copartner hirespremium contentPooja PatelDaksha Baxi

Comments

Kaat gayi 13 Apr 2018, 17:29
+24 -2
Bar and Bench broke the story, so 13 hour counntdown suddenly vanishes to instant access.. Waah bhai waah!! Faster than Maggi noodles..
kianganz 13 Apr 2018, 17:43
+4 -21
Haha, didn't think people would still be up to read right now, hence the overnight countdown :)
Guest420 13 Apr 2018, 17:34
+1 -3
Khaitan Tax and Private Client Practice was mainly supported by Daksha, Anuj and Bijal. Will Daksha be reporting to Rahul Shroff now (Co-head of the Private Client Practice)?
Lexpert 13 Apr 2018, 17:42
+2 -1
Do you mean Rishabh Shroff?
Guest420 13 Apr 2018, 18:43
+98 -6
Sorry, mixed up Rahul Gandhi and Rishabh Shroff. In my defence, they have a lot in common. :)
Guest 13 Apr 2018, 17:45
+4 -2
Khaitan’s PCP is a one man show.
Daddo 13 Apr 2018, 17:52
+12 -4
Big boost to Mumbai tax practice & will be great support to the M&A practice too ! Some more big hires to come. Watch this space ...
Guest 13 Apr 2018, 18:17
+7 -7
Any guesses as to how HK is feeling now?
1.1 Guest 13 Apr 2018, 19:08
+21 -2
Sleepy.
Oink 13 Apr 2018, 20:54
+1 -3
Like a star performer who has been shafted?
Guest 20 Apr 2018, 05:11
+0 -0
He’s flying Sky high.
Taxi 13 Apr 2018, 18:36
+2 -1
Doesn't CAM already have Tax partners?
Gujju 14 Apr 2018, 08:18
+2 -1
Yes.One of them works for PCP as a director I think who was ex-KCO. Fun times ahead.
Kco Birdie 13 Apr 2018, 19:26
+28 -6
I hear that there are more quittings in the offing. Partners have been asked to give a loan and contribute given the declining performance of the firm. Haigreve has zero say in the family controlled firm.
YouTube 13 Apr 2018, 20:07
+5 -3
Dream on
Lol 13 Apr 2018, 20:27
+1 -1
wish what you want. We will rock next year
Dream on 13 Apr 2018, 20:35
+0 -0
Seriously dream on
Not a lawyer 13 Apr 2018, 20:37
+5 -1
Kian - one correction
Baxi is a qualified accountant and not a *lawyer*..
Guest 14 Apr 2018, 02:15
+0 -0
You’re delusional!
Alas 14 Apr 2018, 02:22
+2 -0
This sort of a story is circulated every year post announcement of partner promotions with no basis to support it.

Bored.
Ex Scammie 14 Apr 2018, 02:39
+15 -6
Heard the same..heavy losses at the partnership level, yet the rosy picture of a growing firm and promotion rounds. HK needs to bounce back and reclaim his baby which has now been infested by dirty AMSS politics of the AMSS lateral hires
Ex KCO 14 Apr 2018, 12:17
+16 -2
Completely. Lateral AMSS hires are muddying the waters. The firm is losing the ethos it was once known for. HK needs to step up and take control rather than forming multiple management committees that have lost the plot. Bangalore and Delhi especially are becoming breeding grounds for favouritism and nepotism.
Delhiite 14 Apr 2018, 14:02
+10 -2
Partners in Delhi openly say that promotions happen based on partner relations - this is what they call collaborative working
Hi 16 Apr 2018, 11:57
+0 -0
Really? That's really absurd
Guest 14 Apr 2018, 14:29
+6 -3
Agree on Delhi. Example: An A who was on the verge of getting fired got promoted to SA due to her “proximity” to a non-performing, intermittently disappering AP who got promoted to EP due to proximity to the blue eyed boy of the Mumbai turf.
Guest 17 Apr 2018, 05:14
+0 -0
Looking at the Partner promotions in a Delhi, I think I know who you are talking about!
Bullshlaka 14 Apr 2018, 08:19
+1 -1
Good of you to add coal to this fire. The magic kind of fake coal used in hookahs. Really not cool to speak without any basis, evidence or inkling of reasoning.
Guest 17 Apr 2018, 07:16
+1 -0
Because it is not a "family controlled firm" a la S/CAM or sole proprietorship a la Chambers of Zia Mody?
Congrats 14 Apr 2018, 01:53
+4 -6
Big news!! Congratulations to CAM - great new additions to the team!!
Client 14 Apr 2018, 02:03
+9 -15
Have worked with both in the past. True professionals and lovely people. They will be missed at KCO. All the best!
To-be ex colleague 14 Apr 2018, 02:07
+6 -20
A lot of folks at Khaitan will miss you both. Really warm human beings and thorough professionals. God bless!
KCO 14 Apr 2018, 02:09
+8 -14
DB Ma'am will be sorely missed. Tax team and KCO will not be the same without her.
Big news! 14 Apr 2018, 02:12
+9 -17
Mother - daughter duo is killing it!! Sad to see them leave KCO. Highly capable individuals. Pooja is a brilliant lawyer and DB is an amazing advisor and structurer.
guest& 14 Apr 2018, 02:32
+11 -20
Feather in Cyril's cap. What a coup! Daksha's stature and gravitas will give a big boost to CAM's cross border tax and PCP practices. Pooja is a superb lawyer - great mix of leadership skills and team player. Good luck everyone!
Insider 14 Apr 2018, 02:57
+4 -4
Definitely more departures to come. Names will be out soon enough. I heard partner bonuses were delayed by a good 2 weeks this year and paid by 31st March as has been the norm for so many years.
PJP fan 14 Apr 2018, 03:04
+10 -33
Heartbroken that Pooja is leaving! She has been an insipration for a lot of women in KCO - deftly managing 2 tiny kids and a career while remaining her witty and positive self. Super sharp lawyer - Have learnt a lot from her over the years and will sorely miss working with her! PJP, don't go na :(
KCO Team 14 Apr 2018, 05:01
+6 -15
All the very best Daksha and Pooja!

Daksha, your invaluable experience, wisdom and grace shall be missed by the KCO team!

Pooja, I'll miss your excellent business acumen and sharp negotiation skills and also your sense of humour! :)
Reality 14 Apr 2018, 05:39
+33 -8
CAM doesn’t know what hit them on Friday, the 13th lol
All the best guys
Cammie 14 Apr 2018, 05:41
+11 -14
Looking at these heartwarming observations, we look forward to the mother - daughter dynamic duo inspiring us everyday with their warmth and professionalism! I think this is the spirit that was needed to rekindle CAM!
Real Cammie 14 Apr 2018, 07:46
+2 -2
CSS and VCS certainly seem to think so.
Tiki 14 Apr 2018, 07:51
+7 -6
Congrats to the ladies and to CAM! Great platform meets talent.
Guest10 14 Apr 2018, 07:52
+7 -8
Best of luck Pooja! Was great to get your inputs on our deal last year. You will hear from me soon! :)
Btw, I didn't know that Daksha is your mum! Wishing her the best too! I might need her advice on a couple of matters..
Well Wisher 14 Apr 2018, 09:05
+7 -9
Recklessly making new partners at KCo always result in the above average Partners looking out. More are gonna leave.
Interesting 14 Apr 2018, 10:53
+7 -6
The number of objections to complimentary comments in all LI stories is always amusing. In this case, may also explain gender diversity (or lack thereof) in KCO partnership.
Lawyer-AMSS 14 Apr 2018, 12:46
+4 -10
Pooja was a really good lawyer. The flexibility she got while at KCO was amazing. Have not seem a Firm that allows partners to work on such a part-time flexi basis. Pooja was given all the space. Winder whether she will get the same at CAM. Gender diversity, flexi timings and being sympathetic to woman having kids has never been their strong points. Ample justification basis the profile of the woman partners at CAM. most wanting a baby ultimately leave. Good luck Pooja.
Which AMSS 14 Apr 2018, 14:59
+7 -4
You're obviously not from CAM. Else you'd have known that all their offices are headed by women and that a lot of practice heads (including corporate) are women. Please name 5 homegrown women EPs that Khaitan has produced outside the family. Never mind. Better luck next time.
cammy 14 Apr 2018, 16:44
+7 -2
Delhi head: Percy - male
Bombay head: Cyril - male
South head: Arjun male

Pray what are you rolling?! Bum Bum bhole.
Reallity check 15 Apr 2018, 04:22
+6 -3
Delhi - Gauri
Mumbai - VCS
Bangalore - Reeba
Stop smoking and have a coffee.
Lol 14 Apr 2018, 15:01
+2 -3
Did you mean AZB? You might have gotten the firms confused. Happens bro - it's Saturday night.
Please 15 Apr 2018, 04:46
+9 -4
The profile of women partners at Khaitan too speaks for itself. How many of them have young kids? How many of them are homegrown? How does their career profession track against their male peers? Women there are clearly paying the price of motherhood (and even simply being women), so maybe take a breath and think about that before you expect a standing ovation for showing basic human decency. Having said that, I wouldn't call pulling overnighters as working part time. Shame on you for taking away from the hard work put in.
DangalFan 15 Apr 2018, 07:52
+0 -3
Always fun to watch a perfectly executed overhead body slam!!! Jokes aside, very pertinent points and questions. Best to introspect at such points, than to try such cheap stunts.....
Guest 20 Apr 2018, 05:15
+0 -0
Clearly you are a sky frog. In one pond. Dirty pond.
AZBOldie 15 Apr 2018, 06:24
+3 -2
Big move Pooja! Your people skills and affable personality will help you in your next phase of growth.

Daksha's reputation precedes her. Definitely a solid hire by CAM.
Name or alias 16 Apr 2018, 15:10
+2 -0
Interesting especially given there was a mass exodus from CAM Mumbai tax team a year ago. Isn't there already a tax partner at CAM?
Commenting is closed for this article.