Poovayya & Co has built a reputation for its strong litigation practice, particularly in commercial disputes, regulatory challenges, and insolvency cases. With offices in Bangalore and New Delhi, the firm serves a diverse clientele, ranging from multinational corporations to individual clients. The firm has worked extensively with technology companies, on both the buy-side and the sell-side. Not only is it well versed in domestic litigations, but the lawyers have been instructed in multi-billion-dollar disputes across various jurisdictions including the US, the UK, the UAE and Mauritius. Its lawyers are recognized for their strategic approach, focusing on early resolution of disputes through effective negotiation and alternative dispute resolution methods. This proactive stance not only helps clients save time and resources but also aims for favourable outcomes with minimal disruption to their operations.
The firm's strength lies in its experienced team of legal professionals, including senior partners like Manu Kulkarni, Dharmendra Chatur, and Ankit Parhar. Kulkarni has over 16 years of experience in constitutional and administrative law, civil and commercial litigation, and international arbitration. He is well-respected for his insight into complex legal issues and has successfully represented various high-profile clients. Dharmendra Chatur, another partner, specializes in commercial transactions, competition law, and government regulations. His expertise has been instrumental in navigating complex legal landscapes for clients in various sectors. Ankit Parhar, also a partner, focuses on civil and commercial litigation, regulatory matters, and arbitration, contributing significantly to the firm’s success in these areas.
Demonstrating its litigious prowess, the firm represented X Corp (formerly Twitter) in its challenge against blocking orders issued by the Indian government under the Information Technology Act. This case is notable for its implications on freedom of expression and government authority. It was also a first-of-its kind litigation where blocking orders of the central government have been challenged by an intermediary. Additionally, the team successfully advised Coffee Day Global in a major arbitration against Mysore Amalgamated Coffee Estates, dealing with significant financial claims.
On the IP side, the team was involved in a trademark dispute for Manipal Academy of Higher Education, successfully protecting the client’s brand against infringement.
Poovayya & Co also excels in contentious government and regulatory matters, having advised various clients on compliance and litigation against governmental decisions. A key achievement in this practice area was advising the Retailers Association of India in challenging the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, which sought to impose language requirements on retail signage, a case that has implications for businesses operating in Karnataka. In another case, the team represented a leading FMCG multinational in challenging a government decision that withdrew certain entitlements, which could have affected the client’s operations significantly. The team also assisted Parle Agro in a classification challenge regarding their products under the GST regime, which is crucial for the company’s financial interests.
The firm’s commitment to social justice is also evident through its pro bono work, such as representing individuals in public interest litigation aimed at improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in public transportation.
Client feedback
"The Poovayya team, led by Dharmendra Chatur, possesses exceptional strategic advisory and representation capabilities. They provided us with timely and well-reasoned advice that has significantly helped us safeguard and scale our businesses. Overall, their team's legal abilities are strong, and they are continually improving in cross-border litigation." – Commercial and transactions
"The team is prompt and always up to speed on legal developments. We appreciate their honest and critical feedback and legal advice." – Commercial and transactions
"The team is very organized and dedicated to working on our cases, demonstrating excellent preparedness." – Commercial and transactions
"They respond promptly and are highly knowledgeable in their subject matter" – Commercial and transactions
"The Poovayya team excels in case strategy and effectively handles very complicated litigations." – Commercial and transactions
"They are terrific at understanding and evaluating the risks involved in legal disputes. Their in-depth research and advice enable our organization to make informed decisions." – Commercial and transactions
Dharmendra Chatur
"We have known Mr. Chatur since he was an associate at Poovayya. He has developed his ability to manage our matters and consistently provides us with excellent advice on navigating our complex commercial disputes in India and the United States. His main strength lies in his deep understanding of our business's commercial realities, which allows him to suggest the most creative legal solutions. We have always benefited from his sound counsel and can vouch for its pragmatism. "
"Dharmendra has been our single point of contact from Poovayya team. He is a very pragmatic and honest lawyer who is skilled in looking at a matter from all possible scenarios and developing a comprehensive approach. We are very happy to have him as our legal counsel in India. "
"He is qualified, friendly, knowledgeable, and effective in presenting before courts."
"His availability and patience in managing our cases are commendable. He is also very attentive to detail and maintains a level-headed approach in difficult situations."
Manu Kulkarni
"Manu is one of the most sought-after litigators in Bangalore today. His approach to our cases, combined with his legal expertise and humble attitude, is highly appreciated. We thoroughly enjoy working with him and his colleagues, including Dharmendra Chatur and Ayushi Goyal, on our litigations."
"Manu is skilled at assessing and clearly communicating the risks involved in legal disputes. He is also transparent about our organization's standing in each dispute regarding the merits of the matter."
"Calm and composed, he possesses excellent oratory skills, in-depth knowledge of the subject, and is an active listener. He is assertive and well-mannered."
