Indian law firm AZB & Partners has welcomed back real estate lawyer Ruchit Parikh as a partner in Mumbai from Trilegal, the firm’s second real estate partner hire in four months.

In October last year, AZB welcomed a team of six real estate lawyers in the southern city of Bengaluru from J Sagar Associates, led by another returnee, Malini Raju.

AZB also lost two real estate partners last year: In Mumbai, Monika Bhonsale moved to Trilegal in November, while Delhi practice head Rohit Bajaj joined Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co in August.

With real estate being one of India’s fastest-growing sectors, Parikh “will be a significant addition to our real estate practice in Mumbai, and will further enhance servicing our clients in this practice area,” said Zia Mody, AZB co-founder and managing partner, in a statement.

With 12 years of experience, Parikh advises on real estate transactions, including acquisitions, investments, developments and sales across India. Parikh’s first stint with AZB was from 2017 to 2020, after which he moved to Trilegal. Previously, Parikh worked at Desai & Diwanji, Rajani, Singhania & Partners, and Markand Gandhi & Co.

Parikh’s arrival takes the number of AZB partners in Mumbai to 55.