Founding Members

Rajat Sethi

Founding Partner S&R Associates

Contact:
Mobile: +91 98101 27646 / 75067 32646
E-mail: rsethi@snrlaw.in

Bar Admissions: India, 1995

Education:
- St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi (B.A. (Hons.) in Mathematics, 1992)
- Faculty of Law, University of Delhi (LL.B., 1995)
- Tulane University Law School (LL.M., 1996)

Rajat Sethi's M&A practice covers foreign investment, joint ventures, private equity, restructuring, competition, corporate governance and regulatory matters. He has advised Fortune 500 corporations, Indian companies and private equity firms on acquisitions and sales, investments, restructuring and exits, joint ventures and shareholder disputes, as well as Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code matters. Rajat has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, IFLR1000, RSG India Report and among India's top 100 lawyers by India Business Law Journal.

Rajat has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers Global for Corporate / M&A; by Chambers Asia Pacific for Corporate / M&A, Private Equity, and Technology, Media, Telecoms; by IFLR1000 for M&A; and by RSG India Report for Corporate M&A and Private Equity. In 2015, Rajat taught a course on mergers and acquisitions at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.

Rajat has lectured on mergers and acquisitions at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. He previously worked with P&A Law Offices and the chambers of Mr. Arun Jaitley.

Rajat Sethi is highlighted by industry sources for his leading reputation in M&A and corporate advisory. One commentator reports: "He is of very high quality. He clearly has very good knowledge of the local market but at the same time an approach and service standard recognisable among magic circle firms."
- Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020

  1. Vodafone Group and Vodafone India in
    ─ Merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular
    ─ Sale of Vodafone India's standalone tower business to American Tower Corporation
    ─ Formation of Indus Towers joint venture and merger of Indus Towers into Bharti Infratel
    ─ Essar Group's exit from Vodafone India and the settlement of claims
    ─ Sale of a minority interest in Bharti Airtel to Bharti Enterprises
    ─ Regulatory, competition, general corporate and litigation matters
  2. ArcelorMittal S.A. in various M&A matters including INR 502.31 billion (USD 7.21 billion) successful joint takeover bid with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal for Essar Steel India Limited
  3. Aéroports de Paris S.A. (Groupe ADP), an international airport operator based in Paris in its investment of INR 107.8 billion in GMR Airports Limited
  4. McDonald's Corporation in its acquisition of 50% (not already owned) of its former joint venture in North and East India from its Indian partner, along with the settlement of disputes
  5. MakeMyTrip in the merger of the ibibo Group and in the share exchange transaction between Ctrip.com International, Ltd. and Naspers Limited
  6. Firmenich in its acquisition of a majority stake in VKL Seasoning
  7. IndusInd Bank in its acquisition of the diamond and jewellery financing business in India of The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. and proposed acquisition of IL&FS Securities Services
  8. Government of India in its initial attempt at privatization of Air India
  9. Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA in the acquisition of Ramyam Intelligence Lab by its Arvato services division and an investment in Eruditus Learning Solutions Pte Ltd
  10. Dana Incorporated in various M&A, joint venture, competition and regulatory matters, including
    - Proposed acquisition of the drive systems segment of the Oerlikon Group
    - Sale of shares of Hindustan Hardy Spicer Limited to its joint venture partner XLO India
  11. Bertelsmann India Investments in investments in Pepperfry.com, Lendingkart, iNurture Education Solutions, Roposo and IndiaProperty.com
  12. Qatar Foundation Endowment in an investment in and exit from Bharti Airtel
  13. HT Media in various M&A and investment matters, including the sale of shares in its joint venture HT Burda Media, its joint venture with Sportority Limited and North Base Media to operate www.90min.in, the acquisition of Webitude and an investment in RoundOne.in
  14. Kesoram Industries in the sale of its tyre manufacturing subsidiary to JK Tyre & Industries
  15. Citigroup as financial advisor to a committee of independent directors of United Spirits Limited pursuant to an open offer for its shares made by Diageo plc and Relay B.V.
  16. Citigroup as financial advisor to HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company in the proposed merger of the Max Life insurance business
  17. Avenue Capital Group in the sale of shares in the owner of “Medanta” hospital facilities
  18. Kaizen Private Equity in an investment in Insofe Education
  19. Francisco Partners in the acquisition of businesses of Palred Technologies by BluJay Solutions
  20. Henderson Equity Partners in investments in Genesis Colors, Sharda Cropchem and IPE Global
  21. Sutherland Global Services in its acquisitions of Apollo Health Street and Adventity Global Services
  22. F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Georgia-Pacific, Roper Technologies, Inc., Tata Communications, Tata Sky and Vodafone Foundation in general corporate and regulatory matters