The Legal500, the world’s largest independent legal directory, has rated Spice Route Legal as the best in Data Protection, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Technology, Media & Telecommunications; and as a close second in Financial Services Regulatory & Fintech and Projects and Energy. Other practice areas that were highly recommended include Corporate and M&A, Private Equity and Investment Funds, Intellectual Property and Aviation.

Data privacy specialist with strength in complex cross-border data protection mandates

Legal500 has ranked our Data Protection, Privacy, and Cybersecurity practice as top tier for the fourth consecutive year, describing us as a “dedicated team for advice across the full gamut of advisory, regulatory, and contentious matters.” Recognising the Practice head, Mathew Chacko, as a Leading Individual, Legal500 acclaims Mathew as “a seasoned data privacy specialist with strength in complex cross-border data protection mandates and regulatory issues, as well as data-related disputes.” In addition, Aadya Misra has been commended as a Rising Star in the industry and touted for having “particular expertise handling major financial services data transfers from the EU to India.” Legal500 has also recognised Ankita Hariramani and Shambhavi Mishra as Recommended Lawyers.

“No lawyer in the industry understands technology better than Mathew Chacko!”

Waxing eloquent about Spice Route Legal’s Tier 1 expertise in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice, Legal500 observes that we demonstrate “significant strength in the new media, health-tech, AI, and cyber-security spheres.” The independent directory has also recognised practice head Mathew Chacko as a Leading Individual, while one client has praised that “No lawyer in the industry understands technology better than Mathew Chacko!” Additionally, Legal500 has recommended Ankita Hariramani and Aadya Misra, crediting Ankita as a “fintech specialist” and Aadya as a “specialist data law expert.”

Standout specialism in Lifesciences and Healthcare

Legal500 has also recognised the firm’s expertise in Life Sciences and Healthcare as being the best in the country. Ranking us in the top tier, the world’s largest legal directory describes our work as having “standout capabilities in cross-border private transactions and complex issues.” Mathew Chacko has once again been recognised as a Leading Individual, while Aadya Misra and Renuka Abraham have been called Raising Stars in the sector. Specifically, Aadya has been distinguished for having a “standout specialism in health data and health tech,” while Renuka for a specialised focus on life sciences and healthcare transactions.

Financial Services Regulatory and Fintech

On our Practice in Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory, we have been ranked among the very best and praised for having “broad practice encompasses expertise in payments, financial sector crimes, digital lending and anti-money laundering.” Legal500 believes that we are “well placed to assist with regulatory investigations” as well. Emphasising the ongoing complex outsourcing matter for HDFC, Legal500 recognises our practice head Mathew Chacko as a Leading Individual in the sector. Ankita Hariramani, an Equity Partner at the firm, has been commended as a Rising Star in the industry, Aadya Misra, Harshda Bakshi, and Ruchika Jha have all received endorsements as recommended lawyers. Acknowledging the team, a client has noted that, ‘The Partners, Senior and Junior associates are thorough professionals. They are one of the best legal teams around in terms of knowledge, subject matter expertise, conduct, billing and flexibility.’

Outstanding talent in assisting with Energy

In regards to our Projects and Energy practice, Legal500 garners praise for our “outstanding talent in assisting with energy and data-related regulatory matters in tandem with general corporate and M&A advisory work.” Legal500 honours the practice head Praveen Raju as a Leading Individual in the industry, with one client adding that the team is ‘highly responsive, global leaders in this area.’ Janhavi Joshi has been consistently singled out, earning her the Rising Star title — “Janhavi Joshi is exceptional” one client notes.

Corporate & M&A – Sound judgment on what is and what is not possible

Legal500 has also ranked our Corporate and M&A practice among the best, acclaiming us for having broad corporate expertise, covering complex cross-border M&A, corporate restructurings, and direct investments. Renuka Abraham and Janhavi Joshi have also received spotlights as Recommended Lawyers in the practice. One of our clients describes practice head Praveen Raju as “very hardworking, always smiling, very clear in thoughts.”

Our practice in Intellectual Property and Private Equity and Investment Practice have also been recognised, with one client describing us as “extremely competent” and that we have “sound judgement on what is and what is not possible.”

Watch out for SRL’s Aviation Practice – Legal500 says

Lastly, remarking on our “notable expertise” in the Aviation Practice (Including Aerospace and Defence), Legal500 says we are a Firm to Watch in the sector.