Khaitan & co tops the list of legal advisors to M&A transactions

MUMBAI: Khaitan & Co topped the Venture Intelligence League Tables for Legal Advisors to M&A transactions for the first six months of 2015 advising deals with a value tag of $2,237 million (across 14 qualifying transactions).

Khaitan & Co. was followed by AZB & Partners which advised deals worth $1,970 million (across 16 deals); Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas ($1,353 million across 9 deals). Amarchand & Mangaldas, before its split, had advised M&A deals worth $1,084 million (across seven deals).

According to the Venture Intelligence League Tables, the transactions involving India-based companies, are based on value of PE and M&A transactions advised by Transaction and Legal Advisory firms.

The Khaitan & Co. advised M&A deals during the period included the $315 million buyout of Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals by Advent International & Temasek and the $400 million acquisition of Freecharge by Snapdeal. Transactions advised by AZB included the $800 million acquisition of womens health business of Famy Care by Mylan Laboratories and the $400 million acquisition of Freecharge by Snapdeal.

Transactions advised by Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas included the $404 million strategic investment by Alibaba in Paytm parent One97 Communications and $258 million acquisition of Kesh King by Emami. Amarchand & Mangaldas advised deals included the $200 million acquisition of TaxiforSure by Ola Cabs.

Cross-border firm Convington Burling was an advisor to two deals totaling $925 million: the buyout of InBev India International by Anheuser-Busch InBev from its JV partner RJ Corp and the $800 million acquisition of womens’ health business of Famy Care by Mylan Labratories

The period also saw a lot new entrants like Veritas Legal and Patanjali Associates enter the Venture Intelligence Legal Advisors for M&A league table.