Expertise Client Group

Asset Management

Asset Management

LLC’s work in the asset management sector has traditionally included clients like hedge funds, fund managers, debt funds, institutional managers, investment firms, standalone asset managers, agribusinesses, independent directors, trust companies/departments and private wealth managers among others. Our expertise is focussed on identifying the obstacles in the sector and advising clients on regulatory compliance, litigation management and negotiating lucrative business opportunities. We periodically work with specialists from our practice groups including business & commercial, banking & finance, employment & HR, M&A and dispute resolution to provide advice that is commercially astute and strategically sound.

LLC counsels advise on acquisitions or divestitures in asset management businesses, regulatory compliance, property, litigation & ADR, labour issues, white collar crimes, tax structures, technology, media & telecoms and financial regulations.

Construction & Infrastructure

Construction & Infrastructure

Our Construction client group includes real estate developers, contractors, sub-contractors, infrastructure suppliers and interior or landscape design consultancies. Our association in projects can be end to end i.e. from the outset including land identification, due diligence, property search, handling negotiations and building contracts, conveyances or joint venture set up, tax structuring, contracts with infrastructure suppliers, building permissions from local authorities to even the ultimate sales of residential units and commercial spaces to individual buyers.

At LLC, we negotiate, draft and vet a wide gamut of documentations related to construction projects. Our advisory work relates to many aspects of real estate asset and transactions including but not limited to funding, project investments, acquisition of suitable lands and steering through regulatory compliances related to environment, planning, health and safety.

We represent developers in various cases involving supply chain breaches, consumer disputes, property ownership conflicts, investor disagreements, taxation issues and tenancy evictions or rehabilitations.

LLC has extensive experience of working with business clients in high value residential projects as well as commercial projects including hotel and leisure centres, office buildings, shops and malls, warehouses, factories, banks and mixed use developments. We have also worked with clients to mitigate project failures that may be induced by force majeure, funding or investment problems, infrastructure supply breakdowns, unforeseeable litigations, internal company disputes among others.

Consumer & Retail

Consumer & Retail

Consumer & Retail brands are constantly updating or upgrading as the client sector periodically goes through a tidal wave of changes. The industry today has got a mix of high street retail to the evolving e-commerce platform. Global brands in partnership with Indian companies have launched into the domestic consumer market in order to capitalise on one of the largest populations on the planet. Brands are working overtime on finding ways to increase their turnovers or diversify into newer sub domains but also protect against a barrage of legal risks.

LLC has great insight of the sector through its long standing associations with clients to provide commercially viable solutions.

Our teams have worked with a diverse range of clients from international brands to domestic brands and even smaller retailers.

LLC teams cover legal issues related to:

  • Commercial agreements
  • M&A and strategic partnerships
  • Franchising & licensing
  • Logistics, supply chain, distribution & packaging
  • E-commerce
  • Health & safety
  • Consumer protection
  • IP & brand protection
  • Taxation
  • Finance
  • Litigation & ADR
  • Real estate
  • Environmental
  • Policy decisions
  • Corporate governance
  • Employment
  • Marketing & advertising
  • Data confidentiality & cyber security
Education & Training

Education & Training

LLC provides specialised legal advice to educational and training organisations on issues involving contracts, property, commercial, taxation, municipal, regulatory compliance, IPR, data and confidentiality, dispute resolution and consumer protection.

Our litigation team has represented private universities and independent vocational training institutes before courts in challenges to local government notices and regulatory investigations.

LLC offers advice on discrimination claims, contract breach, negligence, employment disputes and internal governing body conflicts. We can provide services related to establishment of new schools or campuses, franchisee set up for private institutes, accreditation, research & IP, management disputes, supplier contracts, technology practices, finance and insolvency, constitutional law, real estate constructions, planning permissions and tax exemptions.

The transformation in education sector to more of a consumer culture has prompted changes in the field thereby bringing it under scrutiny of consumer courts more often than before.

Our clients have included private universities, further educational institutions, independent secondary and higher secondary schools, colleges, kindergartens, private training institutions, vocational training institutes and education management organisations.

Entertainment, Media & Sports

Entertainment, Media & Sports

LLC counsels can assist brands and private individuals within various creative fields like media, entertainment and sports on all legal aspects related to their commercialisation. Fibre optics internet in homes or workplaces and 4G speeds on mobile devices have completely changed the dynamics of modern day entertainment.

Although there has been a manifold increase in access for users, the internet has also brought forth perplexing legal complexities and regulatory concerns. Clients under this sector may include entities working in film, television, music, gaming, digital media, sports, broadcasting, publishing, dance, radio, theatre and comedy among others.

The entertainment, media & sports sector has seen tremendous growth with the entry of OTT (Over-the-top) service which allows the streaming of media directly to viewers through Internet. The concept of OTT has raised concerns about censorship and regulation as it bypasses the traditional and well entrenched platforms like broadcast, cable or satellite TV. With a lot of content available readily at a click of a button on a mobile or tablet, many OTT services have decided to ride this wave of convenience not only as distributors of content but have also taken up roles of production and content creation. There are also tricky concerns that OTT platforms may be facing through evolving technologies like VPN (virtual private networks) which circumvent or work around content access filters deployed region wise or nation wise. 

Our teams often work on a variety of issues including production agreements, trademark and image rights, cyber law, copyright (licensing and assignment), recording, film & tv contracts, publishing deals, event staging or managing agreements, merchandise endorsements, marketing and promotions, digital content delivery, defamation, censorship, regulatory compliance, injunctions, privacy, litigation and ADR.  

Fashion & Beauty

Fashion & Beauty

LLC helps Fashion & Beauty sector clients who are involved in sourcing or manufacturing high street or luxury brands. We have also worked with India based entities who manufacture goods for various luxury brands in the UK, European Union, US or Canadian markets.

A highly evolving industry, it brings exciting challenges for brand owners in the form of navigating local or cross border contracts with designers, retailers, logistic partners, suppliers, wholesalers or material suppliers.

Our Chambers advise on legal issues related to manufacturing, development, marketing, advertising, franchising, licensing, property acquisitions and commercial leasing.

LLC clients have included brands catering to clothing, cosmetics, lingerie, swimwear, accessories, footwear, leather goods, furniture among others.

We have represented clients in pursuing worldwide trademark registrations or solving domain name disputes (cybersquatting). LLC has advised in enforcement and protection of brand wordmarks, design marks and trade dress. We have also counselled on business incorporations, tax structures, compliance and employment.

Our Chamber regularly works for Fashion & Beauty brands in practice areas including M&A, contracts, business & commercial, IP, dispute resolution, property, investment, e-commerce and consumer. Our focus, as always, is to find solutions for clients without protracted litigations. Brands in this sector rely on us as they appreciate our portfolio of unique experience in handling various parts of the business life cycle.

Fintech (Financial Technology)

Fintech (Financial Technology)

Fintech has seen intense activity and growth in the recent years with both traditional financial players diversifying their products to broaden client base or home grown start-ups backed by crowdfunding or angel investments entering the sector. Businesses have identified technology’s ability to have a credibly disruptive effect on the financial market through artificial intelligence and blockchain which in turn has emerged as an alternative force undermining traditional banking and financial structures. The rapid evolution of this sector has brought scrutiny from regulatory authorities and legislators alike in order to ensure that the risks are mitigated and wider consumer interest not put at risk.

For any legal team catering to fintech entities, it is crucial to stay abreast of quickly changing laws, rules and regulations so that appropriate compliance advice can be provided.

We advise IT companies, start-ups and investors in the fintech sector. LLC caters to online lending, trading, payment platforms or gateways. There are also domestic and foreign companies keeping an eye on the blockchain and cryptocurrency development in India to identify the existing legality concerns and further explore any market entry thresholds that may be imposed in the near future.

Fintech could comprise of diverse technologies like e-wallets, contactless, mobile payments, alternative finance, Insurtech, investment management apps as well as technology platforms that facilitate crowdfunding or fund raising. Even newer tech solutions e.g. Regtech (regulatory compliance automation) or P2P (peer-to-peer) lending are being explored for market entry by clients.

LLC works with fintech clients on legal issues related to commercial and corporate, intellectual property, contracts, M&A, strategic alliances, data privacy, cyber security and information technology, cloud based solutions, IPOs or offerings, e-commerce, taxation, private equity, debt finance and consumer protection.

Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

The Food & Beverage client sector may include a host of different kinds of business ranging from manufacturers, distributors, restaurants, cafes, wineries, dessert shops, pubs, bars, markets, agribusinesses, food and drink importers, food processors, supermarkets, vineyards to even grocers.

The sector is not only highly competitive but faces intense legal challenges in the form of regulatory compliance, health and safety, labelling, packaging, environmental concerns, waste disposals, advertising, marketing, competition and public relations.

Our expertise relates to Contracts management & negotiations, Regulatory investigations and prosecutions, Supply chain contracts and disputes, IP protection and licensing, Packaging and environmental issues, Regulatory advice, Product or process audits, Imports & exports, Food labelling and advertising, Strategic partnerships and business alliances, Mergers & acquisitions, Consumer complaints and litigation, General corporate advice on operations and governance, Insolvency and Corporate financing.​

 

 

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Healthcare & Life Sciences

LLC can act for a range of clients in Healthcare & Life Sciences including MedTech, diagnostic centres, private clinics, biotech, veterinary, pharmacies, private hospitals, health device manufacturers, insurance providers, research institutions, pharma firms and care facilities.

The sector has seen unprecedented growth in digital health and health related technology including broader access to medical professionals virtually and online pharmacies thereby opening doors to legal scrutiny and regulatory challenges.

LLC’s work in this field includes transactional, advisory, commercial and contentious advice. Work involves IP, M&A, business incorporations, contracts, privacy and data security, commercial litigation, antitrust and competition, risk management, investigations and compliance, licensing, consumer protection and taxation.

Hospitality & Leisure

Hospitality & Leisure

LLC’s experience in the hospitality & leisure sector through the years has provided the team with an in-depth perception of the legal issues that businesses encounter. There are very few law chambers which provide bespoke services exclusively to this sector.

The clients in this sector have to face challenging issues involving regulatory compliance and corporate governance. Our specialist work can include real estate acquisitions, disposals, new registrations, leasing, construction or planning permissions, M&A, tax structuring, financing, environment, alternate dispute resolutions, litigation, insolvency, labour & HR issues, vendor or supply contracts negotiation, health & safety, licensing, franchising and trademark.  

We provide services to clients in this sector irrespective of their level of involvement ranging from owners, stakeholders, investors, management teams, strategic partners to even operators. We have advised hospitality and leisure companies on acquisition of other individual businesses or restructuring as part of a larger portfolio. We also have an excellent network of international consultants and advisors which helps us to provide a seamless service to foreign clients needing cross border or multijurisdictional advice including the Indian subcontinent.  

Clients in the hospitality, leisure and recreational sector can include hotels, restaurants, resorts, retreats, cafes, pubs, social clubs, bars, serviced apartments, spas, gymnasiums, sporting facility providers, cinemas, bowling alleys, gaming arcades, theme parks, art galleries among others.

Import & Export

Import & Export

Import & export businesses have to ensure they are staying updated with the evolving rules, regulations and statutes applicable for India and foreign jurisdictions. Businesses need to comply with export or import controls and sanctions. Entities without appropriate requisite licenses may face stringent penalties and consequences.

We advise clients on a range of matters involving customs control and audit, commercial contracts, IP, import or export sanctions, taxation, trade regulations, anti-bribery and corruption, customs clearances, dispute resolution, project finance, securitisation, labour, foreign exchange, insolvency and insurance. We negotiate and draft agreements for clients containing warranties and indemnities.

At LLC, we can assist clients to conduct audits to verify legal compliance with relevant import/export laws and regulations or examine licenses/approvals required for businesses. We also advise clients regarding cases filed in foreign courts or tribunals.

Manufacturing & Industrial

Manufacturing & Industrial

Manufacturing and Industrial entities across sectors are facing a variety of challenges to grow or sustain in a highly competitive global marketplace. As trusted advisers, we offer highly specialised advice to manufacturing clients at every stage of their trade cycle. LLC fully comprehends the commercial, regulatory as well as operational challenges faced by businesses. Our counsels appreciate that businesses involved in this sector need to regularly comply with environmental and workplace safety standards.

Clients in the manufacturing and industrial sectors can include diverse sub sectors such as auto parts & tyres, FMCG, household goods, clothing & textiles, industrial parts, electronics, chemicals, plastics & rubber, refractories, pharmaceuticals, metals, wood, leather, paper, tobacco, cables and wires, petroleum & coal products, cleaning equipment, sporting goods & toys, building materials, high value engineering and retail/consumer products.

LLC’s legal services may be related to purchasing and selling of property, commercial leasing, construction & engineering, commercial contracts, M&A, IP, corporate & project finance, bidding or auctions for government contracts, sales & distribution, joint ventures, non-disclosure agreements, capital markets, product liability, workforce issues, supply chain & logistics, dispute resolution, data protection, outsourcing, antitrust and tax.

Marketing & Advertising

Marketing & Advertising

LLC has built a strong experience of working with laws related to advertising, merchandising, endorsement and sponsorships. Our sector practice helps clients like ad agencies or marketing firms to find answers to regulatory challenges, negotiate contracts, protect their IP, safeguard data, defend legal claims, execute strategic collaborations or even structure taxable transactions.

Branding and marketing have become increasingly crucial aspects of the modern day marketplace with the wider reach and the impact of online or social networking platforms. In instances where clients face potential law suits or defend litigations, our teams try to mitigate risks not only by advising on dispute resolution but also on the administrative and corporate levels by working with inhouse public relations and marketing teams.

LLC’s work includes helping clients identify the legal issues involved in elaborate promotional campaigns. We further advise clients on content related to social media accounts, Tv, radio or print advertising, product labels and marketing strategies.

Mining & Minerals

Mining & Minerals

Mining & minerals is considered to be a heavily regulated sector with scrutiny on compliance from various ends including environmental, economic, labour, taxation and corporate governance among others. Our clients have approached us for strategic advice on a full spectrum related to mineral extraction activities, planning permissions, property purchase, funding, construction and engineering contracts. We have advised  on the carrying out of mining operations including risk and crisis management in challenging jurisdictions. Our focus has been on representing clients in dispute resolutions, arbitration, mediation as well as regulatory and ethics related investigations. LLC works on mining related finance including royalties, environmental law, debt and project finance, joint ventures, licensing and contracts, labour disputes, M&A and logistics.

Non-profit & Trusts

Non-profit & Trusts

We are retained by non-profit organisations and trusts including charities to advise and represent them on a range of issues that require specialist approach. Our cross-practice expertise allows us to pool our resources from colleagues across the Chambers’ practice groups in order to provide comprehensive legal solutions. Organisations in the non-profit and charitable sectors, like the corporate, have to also go through scrutiny from regulatory bodies on issues related to compliance and taxation.

Our non-profit retainer clients include diverse types of charities, foundations, trusts, educational institutions, charitable housing, religious organisations and national or international charities. Some of our India based non-profit clients also have associated and partner charities registered in the UK, France, US and rest of Europe.

LLC advises on contract drafting and negotiation, taxation, dispute resolution, banking & finance, real estate, IP, new registrations, dissolutions, restructuring or reorganisations, property acquisitions, internal governance advice, policy decisions, fund raising or external commercial relations, reputation or crisis management, gifts and donations, trustee duties & liabilities, data protection, investments, insolvency & debt recovery, legacy disputes and pensions.

Private Clients

Private Clients

Private Clients practice at LLC is set up to advise high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, promoter families, privately held businesses, landowners, trustees, proprietorships and family partnerships which have onshore and offshore interests.

We act as trusted advisers to provide services including estate planning and administration, inheritance, succession, powers of attorney, taxation, trusts, foundations, gifts, partnership, family law, asset protection, wills and probates, immigration, wealth structuring, family disputes, divorces, marital or separation agreements, private equity structuring, retirement planning, family settlements and partitions.

LLC often works in alliance with international experts to provide clients seamless solutions to complex cross border tax or wealth management spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Real Estate Agencies

Real Estate Agencies

LLC provides a full range of legal services to property brokerage firms or real estate agencies including transactional, advisory, compliance, litigation & ADR. We are consulted regularly for a host of legal requirements e.g. due diligence, property searches, contract negotiation, conveyancing, residential or commercial leasing, planning & municipal law advice, development, mutation records, evictions and adverse possessions.

Start-ups

Start-ups

LLC has built a distinctive practice which prides itself in mentoring start-ups, entrepreneurs, founders, spin-offs and investors with the knowledge of opportunities and obstacles of building sustainable businesses. Our nurturing legal advice helps nascent businesses grow into successful brands.

We realise that emerging entities have scarce financial resources and need to get their legal fundamentals right to mitigate future risks and liabilities. Often budding businesses hesitate to approach law chambers out of apprehension of losing crucial funds that they may need for R&D, workforce, product development or even marketing. Therefore, start-ups frequently, at the inception, are unable to afford appropriate legal counsel to help them navigate tricky contracts with investors or strategic partners thus depriving them of potential profit margins.

At LLC, we offer strategic bespoke services coupled with specially reduced fee structures to suit the commercial needs of start-ups. We also provide options with outside general counsel services to handle legal issues involved with daily business operations. Our mentee start-ups also benefit from our existing industry associations with various sectors by virtue of which we are able to introduce them to potential strategic partners or investors.

Our services include Company, partnership or other business formations; Registrations & licensing requirements; Equity fund raising advice (crowdfunding, angel investments and seed funding); Corporate finance; Advice to boards, management and shareholders; Contract negotiation, drafting and execution for strategic alliance, joint ventures or investments; Property purchases or commercial leasing for offices, factories, shops, warehouses or other workplaces; Recruitment; Regulatory compliance; IP registrations (copyright, trademark, industrial design & patent); Technology & data protection

Tech & Digital

Tech & Digital

LLC has a dedicated team for Tech & Digital clients who range from established businesses to emerging entrepreneurs. We cater to companies and firms that create tech products, platforms or services. The sector can include brands involved in the field of software, communications, embedded technologies, cryptography, data or web security, mobile applications, hardware, payment technologies, AI, blockchain, gaming, e-commerce, broadband, semiconductors, healthcare, fintech, e-learning, data analytics, cloud computing, unmanned vehicles or IT outsourcing.

Many of our clients are industry disruptors who have created innovative technology and require adequate protection. Our counsels are able to understand the legal needs to provide commercially viable solutions.

LLC team work through a broad range of client requirements ranging from tech agreements, corporate reorganisations, trademark, copyright and patents, data confidentiality, investments, cyber laws, compliance, litigation, ADR, negotiation, immigration, policy to even taxation.

Our knowledge of technology law allows us to provide industry specific advice to firms irrespective of their corporate size, financial turnover, specialism heterogeneity or market share.

Transport & Logistics

Transport & Logistics

Transport & Logistics industry is positioned as a vital cog in the business world. All commercial activity in any proficient domestic or global marketplace needs effective transport and logistics processes. Businesses working in this field need lawyers to wade through evolving legal and regulatory concerns and understand the risks of liability for interstate or cross border operations.

Clients can include warehouse operators, storage & inventory, transport companies, freight entities, cargo and forwarding among others. Logistics can include various types including procurement, distribution, after-sales, disposal, green etc.

LLC's work in this client group can include bespoke services for a range of legal issues for transport or logistics arising from carriage by road, rail, sea or even multi-modal. We provide legal advice for contracts, procurement, insurance, risk mitigation & liabilities, asset finance, labour, corporate restructuring, health & safety, consumer protection, regulatory compliance and operational policies.

Waste Management & Energy

Waste Management & Energy

LLC handles clients in the Waste Management & Energy sector by working with operators, service providers, waste transporters and firms developing waste to energy products. Our teams work on various issues for such clients including real estate, construction and infrastructure, taxation, contracts, employment and environmental. We also advise on regulatory investigations and crisis management.