Upendra Joshi

Upendra Joshi Recognized as a leading legal practitioner both by clients and peers, Upendra is consistently named as such in international research publications including the International Financial Law Review, Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Asialaw.   Upendra heads the corporate and infrastructure practice at Legasis Partners. He has led several high-stakes and complex assignments, and has forged strong long-term relationships in the process. His continued association with some of his major clients long after transaction consummation – NTT DoCoMo, SunCoke, Nippon Life Insurance and Areva to name a few – is testimony of his role as a trusted advisor with the ability to offer practical advice with a solutions-driven approach. Having advised through all major stages and aspects of business – from helping formulate strategies for acquisition of businesses or assets through to developing strategies both on amicable parting of ways and potential or real disputes – Upendra appreciates the varied needs through the life-cycle of business relationships, which helps him with the “look ahead” approach rather than addressing only situations at hand. Besides leading transactions, Upendra has also led efforts to initiate new practice areas for his firm. He is acknowledged for his thought leadership and insights into aspects relating to civil nuclear liability, and is frequently invited to speak at various seminars.   Upendra has been part of various initiatives aimed at building a solid professional law firm with the right talent and focus on high standards of professionalism and ethics.   As recruiting partner at his previous firm, Upendra has been actively involved in hiring bright young talent from law schools as well as formulating policies aimed at realizing the aspirations of the firm and its people. He was instrumental in raising awareness about, and thereafter the profile of, Khaitan & Co across Indian law schools and a number of talented young lawyers whom Upendra recruited during those years have risen to be partners of the firm. A firm believer in gender equality as well as importance of diversity in the workplace, Upendra led this initiative to ensure that these values were clearly visible. It was during this period that Upendra along with a colleague also initiated the firm retreat – an important initiator of communication and bonding among people of the firm – which has since become an annual fixture.   While he continues to work with clients from across geographies, Upendra’s experience of working with Japanese clients is notable. Having advised marquee Japanese clients on investments into India, these clients continue to repose trust in him as their preferred legal advisor.   Upendra started his career as a litigation lawyer in Pune with Avinash Ganu & Associates. The strong desire to be part of business led him to take up a position as associate with Little & Co. Mumbai where he signed up for becoming a Solicitor, which he successfully completed on clearing the examination of articled clerks. He thereafter took up a position as senior associate with AZB & Partners and later at Khaitan & Co, before being called to the partnership at Khaitan & Co in January 2007. After more than 10 years at Khaitan & Co, Upendra joined Legasis Partners in September 2017.   Upendra holds a Bachelor of Social & Legal Sciences and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Pune, and is member of the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa and the Bombay Incorporated Law Society.