Verus Advocates partner Siddharth Bhavnani has joined start-up Grofers as its first general counsel (GC).
Verus Advocates corporate and VC/PE partner Siddharth Bhavnani has joined start-up Grofers as its first general counsel (GC).
Bhavnani had joined Verus in 2014 from Dua Associates breakaway Tatva Legal.
Bhavnani, who had begun his career at Dua Associates after graduating from the University of Leicester in the UK in 2006, commented: “I’ve been working with (Grofers) now for a year as external counsel while I was Verus, and had the opportunity for a closer commercial relationship.”
“I take very fond memories of Verus which is an ideal platform for someone looking to build a practice,” he added.
Verus founder Krishnayan Sen told Legally India: “Grofers has been a long standing client for us and especially for Siddharth. He has decided to move in-house as their GC and I am sure it will be a very exciting role for him.
“We will, of course, continue to work together but will surely miss him as a partner.”
Verus had been working with Grofers on corporate and litigation advisory, said Sen.
The start-up delivers groceries and other items from local shops direct to the consumers’ doorsteps via its smartphone app.
Grofers latest funding round of $120m in November 2015, led by Softbank, valued the company at just under $400m - just $600m shy of much-vaunted (and largely meaningless) proverbial unicorn territory.
The main law firm beneficiary in the fundraisings, have been Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and a range of private equity and venture-capital specialised firms.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas had been advising the Singapore-headquartered company on the November investment with a number of law firms for the funds, as well as on its $36m previous series B/C from Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital and Apoletto Asia.
Comments
To cite an example, an MNC which wanted to buy large tracts of land in a remote location of a North Indian state. It's law firm (a Tier 1 thug) had no clue how to do due diligence on the land parcels. It landed up engaging a pan chewing local solo lawyer who carried out the required searches and gave his report. The Tier 1 thug thereafter gave its own report to the MNC with atleast 15-20 disclaimers. Effectively, the Tier 1 thug played the role of a cheap broker who wanted its moolah but disclaimed all responsibility for any defects in title.
So stop being smug about being in "Big"law. It's even worse if you have a small mind. I've "been there, done that" and know how little value "Big"law delivers for the truckloads they charge.
@kian please check facts before reporting such statements
dont know who does it but they dont. you can see the del hc website. they have had two main cases against them so far, one for cheating and one for ip infringment, and verus is in neither.
And maybe there's also a difference between litigation "advisory" and litigation?
Litigation advisory, I would assume, can include advice on whether there is any litigation risk in doing activity X, or could include advice on how to deal with disputes pre-litigation (i.e., sending legal notices, etc).
If people think it's a huge issue, would be happy to double check with Sen, though some cause lists in the Delhi HC wouldn't really be evidence that Sen has not not being factual.
Good choice.
i. Simon Davies (Global Managing Partner, Linklaters to Lloyd's Banking Group)
ii. Vidyut Gulati (SAM to Cairn India)
iii. Vidya Adsule (Hamurabai to Pune Real Estate)
iv. Nandini Mehta (JSA to Housing.com)
v. Mohit Abraham (KCO to Uber)
vi. Murali Neelakantan (KCO to Cipla)
vii. Pramod Rao (Indus to Citi)
viii. Karthik Mahalingam (AMSS to Omidyar)
ix. Kartikeya Singh (Phoenix to Merril Lynch)
x. Ramanuj Gopalan (SAM to SAIF Partners)