Safir Anand
senior partner & head of trademarks, contractual and commercial IP, Anand and Anand

Safir Anand, a leading intellectual property expert at Anand and Anand, has over 29 years of experience specialising in trademarks, commercial and contractual IP, and IP strategy. Anand’s impact is particularly notable in the fashion industry, where he has pioneered the recognition of IP as a tangible asset. His work has empowered top designers, like Sabyasachi, to protect their creations, facilitating significant brand growth and deterring infringement. Anand’s expertise has also driven corporate stake acquisitions, such as Reliance’s investment in the Manish Malhotra brand. His team also worked on getting the selvedge design of fashion designer Rajesh Pratap Singh registered. Anand’s influence extends beyond fashion, notably, his team has achieved unique trademark protections, such as registering Lupin’s inhaler as a 3D mark and advising Gilead Sciences on unique trademark protection of Remdesivir vials with blue cap. In 2024, his team secured well-known trademark status for major brands like Titan, Tanishq, INDIAMART, Bharat Benz and PVR. Between April and June 2024, his team concluded a record 730 trademark opposition matters and obtained orders in their favour.

Safir Anand conceived and executed IP Feast, a unique IP festival that brings together homegrown brands, speakers, artists, and thinkers from across India to celebrate and promote #Indianess, entrepreneurial spirit including sustainable ventures. After successfully conducting the first edition in May 2023, IPFeast 2.0 was held in Delhi in December of 2023.

Contributing to the success of G20’s Indian edition, Anand gave his suggestions to the ‘Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations’ (ICRIER), India’s premier economic policy for its study on ‘India’s Creative Economy’.

Safir Anand provided branding exercises and business strategies to various prominent festivals, including the world-renowned Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF). Given his branding exercise and business strategies, the JLF gained foothold in various countries outside of Asia. The festival practice went alongside branding activities and co-creation of IP plus the inception of ‘Chrysalis’, a coffee table book on brands made in India. Anand is also an accomplished author, having penned “India Unboxed”, a book that celebrates the distinctiveness of Indian brands and culture. The book reflects his deep engagement with the Indian creative economy and offers insights into the IP landscape.

Anand and Anand, under his leadership, is renowned for its client service approach, balancing legal pragmatism with commercial realities. The firm provides comprehensive IP solutions, addressing complex challenges across various forums. It is committed to innovation and offers creative solutions that tackle the root causes of IP issues. The firm’s culture thrives on challenges, creative thinking, and continuous improvement, positioning it as a leader in the evolving field of intellectual property.

Manisha Chaudhary
managing partner, UKCA and Partners

Manisha Chaudhary, managing partner at UKCA and Partners, is a seasoned lawyer based in New Delhi, specialising in dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, corporate M&A, private equity, and securities law. With 14 years in the legal field, Chaudhary has demonstrated her prowess in handling complex legal matters and guiding her firm through significant transformations.

Chaudhary’s career at UKCA and Partners began in 2010, and after a brief stint in the United States, she returned to the firm, eventually rising to the position of managing partner in 2015. Her leadership has been pivotal in revitalising the firm, addressing challenges related to work environment, revenue, and client engagement, and steering it towards recognition in various legal rankings.

Among her notable achievements, Chaudhary has played a crucial role in representing the B.D. Kapur Group in a high-profile dispute involving the demerger of Atlas Cycles (Haryana) Limited, a case that could set significant legal precedents under the Companies Act, 2013. She also represents financial creditors in the ongoing insolvency proceedings against HBN Dairies and Allied Services Limited, where she secured favourable orders from the National Company Law Tribunal and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

In addition, Chaudhary has extensive experience in handling mergers for DLF and has also provided legal expertise to numerous Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Her work spans litigation, cross-border transactions, and general corporate advisory, showcasing her diverse skill set and deep understanding of both private and public sector legal challenges.

Neeraj Dubey
founder and managing partner, The Valid Points Law Offices

Neeraj Dubey is the founder and managing partner of The Valid Points Law Offices in Bengaluru with 20 years of legal experience. Specialising in general corporate, data protection, labour and employment and M&A, Dubey has a proven track record of advising clients across various industries.

In the corporate sector, Dubey has notably assisted subsidiaries of several multinational companies in diverse sectors, providing comprehensive legal support across FDI, corporate laws, customs, contracts, data protection, logistics, warehousing, IP, and regulatory matters. His work includes guiding e-commerce and tech-based companies in structuring of business, launching their products and reviewing business models from the perspective of data protection and privacy laws.

In the energy sector, Dubey has played a pivotal role in the establishment of several solar power plants in Southern India, conducted title investigations for large energy projects, and advised wind energy companies on market and service agreements with their foreign partners. His expertise extends to renewable energy, where he has reviewed collaboration and shareholders’ agreements for significant projects, including several public sector undertakings.

Dubey’s portfolio also includes advising electric vehicle companies on navigating state-specific legislation, supporting a major car rental service provider in compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act and launching several start-up companies in India. Additionally, he has provided legal counsel on complex issues such as drug and pesticide approvals in sportswear, pricing disputes in the healthcare sector and usage of electronic platforms in banks. He has assisted in investment structuring and advisory (end-to-end) in several transactions. Neeraj is a prolific writer and has been published in several journals. He conducts legal training for corporates and teaches part-time at several universities in Bengaluru. His diverse experience positions him as a leading authority in corporate law, with a strong focus on regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, and strategic legal counsel for clients in both traditional and emerging industries.

Anoop Rawat
partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co

Anoop Rawat is a seasoned partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, based in New Delhi, with 21 years of experience in insolvency & bankruptcy law. His practice is distinguished by his deep expertise in advising on complex insolvency and restructuring matters.

In the past year, Rawat has played a pivotal role in several high-profile insolvency proceedings. He advised the consolidated committee of creditors and lender-appointed constituents of the Implementation and Monitoring Committee for SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited and SREI Equipment Finance Limited, overseeing the implementation of their resolution plan under the IBC. His work also included guiding the committee of creditors through the corporate insolvency resolution processes of Metalyst Forgings Limited and he is currently advising resolution professionals in several corporate insolvency resolution processes, including for Reliance Communication Limited, 13 Videocon group companies, KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited.

Rawat's notable achievements extend to the successful insolvency resolution of Bhushan Steel Limited, which resulted in the takeover of Bhushan Steel Limited by Tata Steel at an aggregate consideration of INR ~35,200 crore. Anoop has also led the team advising different stakeholders on the successful resolution of Bhushan Power & Steel Limited, Amtek Auto Limited, and Reliance Infratel Limited and several other stressed entities. He has played an active role in the insolvency resolution of several of the 12 large corporate accounts (colloquially known as the dirty dozen) who were referred to insolvency by the Reserve Bank of India.

His expertise also extends to restructuring initiatives, where he has advised the lenders on the restructuring of Rattan India Power Limited and DANS Energy Private Limited under RBI guidelines.

Rawat’s approach to client service is rooted in strategic thinking, personalized attention, and a commitment to ethical practice. He emphasizes the importance of understanding clients’ industries and strategic objectives, ensuring that his advice aligns with their broader commercial goals. By leveraging the firm’s full-service capabilities, Rawat delivers comprehensive and tailored solutions, establishing himself as a trusted strategic advisor to his clients.

Sumit Roy
founder, Claritas Legal

Sumit Roy, founder of Claritas Legal, has 14 years of experience specializing in dispute resolution, insolvency & bankruptcy, white-collar crimes, cyber frauds, real estate, and intellectual property rights.

Roy's recent work highlights his ability to navigate complex legal challenges. He has successfully represented major financial institutions, NBFCs, banks, fintech companies, real estate players, and corporate houses across various judicial forums. One notable case involved a cybercrime fraud worth over $2.3 million, where Roy coordinated with law enforcement agencies to recover a significant portion of the lost funds and prosecute the perpetrators.

In addition to this high-profile case, Roy has also been instrumental in representing clients in a variety of other significant matters. For example, he has successfully defended clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, including contract breaches, shareholder disputes, and joint venture disputes. Roy has also been involved in several high-profile insolvency cases, where he has represented both creditors and debtors in complex restructuring proceedings.

Moreover, Roy has demonstrated a strong understanding of arbitration and conciliation. He has successfully defended arbitration awards and obtained stays on their execution, demonstrating his ability to protect clients' interests in both domestic and international disputes.

Roy's approach to client service is characterized by his commitment to availability, honesty, and transparency. He believes in providing clear and unambiguous advice, tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. By combining his experience, expertise, and client-centric approach, Roy has established Claritas Legal as a leading firm in the Indian legal market.