In India’s dynamic legal landscape, the quest for promising career opportunities is met by the range of competitive salaries offered by the nation’s top law firms. This article explores the ten law firms that stand out for their financial appeal to law students and fresh graduates, shedding light on the highest-paying entities in the industry. At the forefront is Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM), a corporate law powerhouse formed in 2015 through the merger of esteemed firms with a legacy dating back over a century. Offering a starting salary ranging from 15 to 18 lakhs per annum, CAM exemplifies the financial attractiveness that draws legal talents. The article focuses on the specialization areas, noteworthy achievements, and landmark cases of each firm, providing invaluable insights for aspiring legal professionals navigating the complex landscape of remuneration and professional prestige.
Table of Content
List of 10 Highest Paying Law Firms in India
Here is a list of the 10 Highest Paying Law Firms in India:
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) is one of the leading corporate law firms in India. It was formed in May 2015 by the merger of two top firms – Amarchand & Mangaldas and Suresh A. Shroff & Co. CAM has a history going back over 100 years. The firm traces its origins to 1917 when Shri Amarchand Shroff and Shri Suresh Shroff started practicing law independently in Mumbai. Over the decades, it became one of the most reputed law firms in India.
Salary: The starting salary is ₹15-18 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. It is considered to be one of the top corporate law firms in India.
Area of Specialization:
- Corporate and Business laws
Achievements:
- It stands among the leading and most respected corporate law firms in India.
- The firm has received many accolades and top rankings in legal directories.
Landmark Cases:
- Vodafone-Hutchison Tax Case: CAM represented Vodafone in its $11 billion purchase of Hutchison’s Indian mobile telecommunication business. It was a historic tax case involving capital gains tax.
- Tata-Mistry Case: CAM acted on behalf of the Tata group during the high-profile boardroom tussle with former Chairman Cyrus Mistry.
- Mergers and Acquisitions: In terms of M&A, CAM has undertaken top deals like the Ola-Foodpanda merger, Flipkart-Walmart deal, etc.
AZB & Partners
AZB & Partners, a corporate law firm in India, has a top position in the market. The firm was established in 2004 by senior lawyers coming from AZB law firm Ajay Bahl, Zia Mody, and Bahram Vakil. As an Indian law firm based in Mumbai, AZB & Partners advises on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities, private equity, banking, and other areas of corporate practice for major Indian as well as multinational corporations with a pool of over 300 legal professionals. It has become one of the leading law firms in India that specialize in various fields of corporate practice.
Salary: The starting salary is ₹ 14-16 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. It is another leading corporate law firm.
Area of Specialization:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Banking and Finance
Achievements:
- Top-ranked by Chambers Asia, Legal500, IFLR1000, and other directories.
- “India Law Firm of the Year” by Chambers Asia in 2018.
- Advised on numerous award-winning and landmark deals in India.
Major Cases:
- Represented Bharti Airtel in merging with Telenor’s India unit.
- Advised Tata Group in its acquisition of Bhushan Steel for $12 billion.
- Acted for Ola in its acquisition of Foodpanda’s India business from Delivery Hero.
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM) came into existence in 2015 after breaking away from Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. They are led by Shardul Shroff, are located in Delhi, and focus mainly on infrastructure, energy, real estate, and financial services areas. The firm is known to advise leading Indian and international companies on a range of corporate legal matters. SAM’s journey can be traced back to the original Amarchand & Mangaldas firm that was created in 1917.
Salary: The starting salary is ₹ 12-15 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. SAM was split into CAM in 2015.
Area of Specialization:
- Infrastructure and Energy
- Real Estate
- Financial Services
- Taxation
Achievements:
- Ranked among the top 3 law firms in India by RSG Consulting.
- “Law Firm of the Year” in 2017 by IFLR1000.
- Advisors on some of the largest infrastructure projects in India.
Major Cases:
- Delhi Metro Rail Corporation sought SAM’s assistance in various Public Private Partnership projects for new metro lines in the Delhi NCR region involving intricate contractual and financing arrangements.
- Among other things, the firm helped Adani Group secure $750 million in financing for the Carmichael coal mine project in Australia from 24 global banks and financial institutions. The said financing was one of the largest mining project financings.
- The company advised Tata Power Limited on its acquisition of renewable energy assets worth $1.4 billion from Welspun group thus enabling Tata Power Limited to become India’s largest power company with the focus being in renewables.
Khaitan & Co
A leading full-service law firm located in Mumbai, India, Khaitan & Co. was established in 1911 and is one of the oldest law firms in India. The Khaitans originally ran it as a family practice under Sir Sapurji Kavasji Khaitan. It has since transformed into a contemporary professional legal practice dealing with intricate legal aspects affecting clients’ businesses. With over 700 lawyers spread over different offices in major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, the firm focuses on various spheres such as mergers & acquisitions, private equity, capital markets, banking and finance, real estate and taxation, etc. The company represents both large conglomerates of India as well as multinational corporations engaged in business activities within the country.
Salary: The starting salary is ₹10-14 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. Full-service law firm based in Mumbai.
Area of Specialization:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Capital Markets
- Banking and Finance
Achievements:
- Top-ranked law firm in India by Chambers Asia Pacific, Legal 500, IFLR1000.
- “India Deal Firm of the Year” by ALB in 2018 and 2019.
- Advisor on several award-winning and ‘first of its kind’ deals.
Major Cases:
- Khaitan & Co represented Oyo Rooms on its $1 billion direct investment round with involvement from Softbank Vision Fund. This forms part of Oyo’s $1.5 billion fundraising for expansion into China and other international territories.
- The company acted for Etihad Airways on its highly publicized acquisition of a 24% stake in Jet Airways for $379 million in 2013.
Trilegal
Trilegal is a leading firm in corporate law established in 2000 by senior partners like Ajay Bahl and Ashok Sharma. The main offices of Trilegal are located in Mumbai and have more than 300 attorneys, having their branches in the primary cities of India. Clients of the company are both Indian and international corporations with whom it works on many legal matters related to corporate activities. Mergers & Acquisitions, private equity, venture capital financing as well as banking and finance represent some fields where the team has contributed. It has grown over the years to be one of India’s leading full-service firms with many clients, including Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and unicorns operating within India.
Salary: Starting salary of ₹ 10-13 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. It is a leading full-service law firm focusing on corporate law.
Area of Specialization:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private Equity and Venture Capital
- Banking and Finance
- Fund Formation
Achievements:
- Ranked as a top-tier law firm in India by Legal500, Chambers & Partners, IFLR1000.
- “India Law Firm of the Year” by Chambers Asia-Pacific in 2017.
- Advisor on numerous award-winning and pioneering deals in India.
Major Cases:
- Advisor to Flipkart on its $16 billion acquisition by Walmart in 2018.
- Represented Amazon in its acquisition of Tapzo and AWS acquihire from QikPod.
- Advised Goldman Sachs and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on investing $250 million in ReNew Power.
Luthra & Luthra Law Offices
Luthra & Luthra Law Offices, located in New Delhi, India is a top corporate law firm. It was established in 1990 by R.K. Luthra who at the time was a senior lawyer at the Supreme Court of India. The organization offers numerous legal services like mergers & acquisitions, private equity, infrastructure and construction projects, real estate, and tax among others. Some of India’s most respected lawyers are part of Luthra & Luthra which has more than 300 attorneys. Throughout its existence, the company has supported leading Indian conglomerates as well as multinational corporations; banks, and financial institutions in their intricate legal matters.
Salary: The starting salary is ₹9-12 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. This corporate law firm is based in New Delhi.
Area of Specialization:
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Infrastructure
- Taxation
Achievements:
- Top-ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific, Legal 500 for tax, corporate M&A capabilities.
- “India Disputes Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards in 2018.
- Handled some of the most complex corporate lawsuits and tax cases in India.
Major Cases:
- Vodafone received assistance from this firm’s attorney team in the $2.5bn tax arbitration case against the Government of India.
- Advisor to Cairn Energy on the $1.6 billion tax dispute regarding internal reorganization.
Argus Partners
Argus Partners is a corporate law firm founded in 2005 in Mumbai. It started as a boutique firm focused on private equity, banking, and infrastructure sectors. Argus provides legal services across areas like infrastructure financing, M&A, PE investments, and more. The firm advises corporations, banks, and infrastructure companies on complex, high-value transactions.
Salary: The starting salary is ₹ 8-11 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates.
Area of Specialization:
- Infrastructure Financing
- Private Equity
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Banking and Finance
Achievements:
- Ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific, Legal500 for its infrastructure, and project finance expertise.
- Recipient of “India Law Firm of the Year” by FinanceAsia in 2011.
- Advised on numerous award-winning and landmark infrastructure financing deals.
Major Cases:
- Advisor to State Bank of India on financing India’s largest solar power project.
- Advised Goldman Sachs on the sale of its stake in ReNew Power to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
- Acted for Kotak Investment Advisors on the launch of a $1 billion real estate fund.
J. Sagar Associates
Sagar and senior advocates Arvind Datar and Girish Shah, J. Sagar Associates (JSA) is a top-tier Indian law firm that offers services across the board. With its headquarters stationed at New Delhi, JSA has seven offices located in India’s major cities with more than three hundred lawyers on board. The company runs a comprehensive suite of legal advising and dispute-resolving services covering among other areas mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, infrastructure projects, banking as well as financing matters.
Salary: The starting salary is ₹8-10 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. It is a full-service law firm with a focus on corporate law.
Area of Specialization:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private Equity
- Litigation
- Banking and Finance
Achievements:
- Top ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific, Legal500 for its corporate, litigation practices.
- Shortlisted for “India Law Firm of the Year” in 2020 by Chambers Asia-Pacific.
- Handled some of the most high-profile corporate lawsuits in India.
Major Cases:
- Represented NTT Docomo in its $1.2 billion arbitration award against Tata Sons.
- Acted for the Government of India in a case involving the assets of Vijay Mallya.
- Advisor to Rosneft in acquiring a 98% stake in Essar Oil for $13 billion.
Desai & Diwanji
The firm Desai & Diwanji was established back in 1975 by Ramesh Desai and Ashok Diwanji, two young lawyers who had been friends since their days at law school. The law practitioners started as tenants in a small office space but their practice was designed to serve the needs of small businesses and start-ups concerning commercial and business laws. Gradually they established their firm through tireless efforts. In the early 90s, Desai & Diwanji became one of the largest corporate law firms in Mumbai, while still catering to smaller clients. Today it is a leading firm known for both big business and entrepreneurship support.
Salary: Starting salary ranges from ₹7-10 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. It is a very old and reputed full-service law firm.
Area of Specialization:
- Corporate and Commercial law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Banking and Finance
- Infrastructure and Construction
- Dispute Resolution
Achievements:
- Named “Law Firm of the Year” in 2016 by the Business Law Association.
- Advised on some of India’s major corporate mergers like Reliance Jio and Infocomm.
- Handles legal work for over 300 of India’s top companies.
Major Cases:
- In 2020 Represented Reliance Group in its merger with Saudi Aramco in the 25 billion dollar deal.
- In 2005 Lead counsel for the Indian Government in the Enron power project litigation.
- In 2018 Represented State Bank of India in recovering non-performing assets valued at Rs. 5000 crores.
- In 2009 Lead prosecution team against erstwhile Satyam Computer CMD Ramalinga Raju over fraud charges.
Phoenix Legal
The five lawyers who created Phoenix Legal in 2003 were Vivek Reddy, Prasanth V., Parakram Singh, Arun Scaria, and Niranjan Ganapathy. They started with an office in Mumbai and wanted to build a new kind of corporate law firm that focused on start-ups requiring venture capital, M&A, and joint venture assistance. With previous experience from leading institutions, they quickly became known for their excellent counsel. As early as 2008, Phoenix Legal was acting for large conglomerates, like Reliance and Tata. Today over one hundred lawyers are present in the metropolitan cities of India related to it. The main thought behind starting up Phoenix Legal was to enable businesses to grow through the best quality legal services.
Salary: Starting salary ranges from ₹7-9 lakhs per annum for fresh graduates. Leading corporate law firm based in Mumbai.
Area of Specialization:
- Corporate and Commercial laws
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Private Equity and Venture Capital
- Banking and Finance
- Real Estate and Infrastructure
Achievements:
- Advised on over 250 M&A deals totaling over USD 25 billion since 2008.
- Handled the largest India-focused private equity fund’s first closing of USD 512 million (2018).
- Advises over 300 companies including startups valued over USD 1 billion.
- Corporate INTL has recognized Phoenix Legal as the “M&A Law Firm of the Year” in India twice since 2016.
Major Cases:
- Represented HCL Technologies in their acquisition of select IBM software products for $1.8 billion (2019)
- Advisor to the National Highways Authority of India on the USD 7 billion Infra Investment Trust (2020)
- Lead counsel for CCI investigation alleging collusion during spectrum auctions by telecom companies (2016-2018)
- Successful representation of the USD 300 million stake purchase in Greenko by the Singapore Sovereign Fund (2021)
Note: The information presented on this website is based on our research and available data at the time of publication. While we strive for accuracy, the dynamic nature of information may lead to changes in data over time.