Three former employees of IC Legal establish a comprehensive law firm known as Aequitas Law Partners.
A new law firm, Aequitas Law Partners, has been launched in Mumbai, marking a significant development in the Indian legal landscape. The firm was established by three former partners of IC Universal Legal – Sambhav Ranka, Rowena De Sousa, and Anita Jain – following the recent split of IC Universal Legal into two separate entities: Universal Legal, which rebranded as Chugh Universal Legal, and IC Legal, which continues to operate under its existing name, led by Hemant Shah and partners [1][2].
Expertise and Team Background
Sambhav Ranka brings nearly two decades of experience to the table, focusing on high-stakes, cross-border, and domestic M&A, private equity, and venture capital transactions [1][2].
Rowena De Sousa has a deep expertise in private equity, venture capital, M&A, and general corporate matters, with a strong background in corporate advisory and cross-border deals [1][2].
Anita Jain specializes in investment funds, asset management, and regulatory practice, advising on complex fund formations, including offshore and GIFT City structures, and regulatory strategy [1][2].
Before founding Aequitas Law Partners, these partners held notable positions at IC Legal and IC Universal Legal. Jain also had experience with leading firms like Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Trilegal, while Ranka worked at Nishith Desai Associates and Morgan Walker [2]. Their combined expertise covers the key areas of M&A, private equity, venture capital, and regulatory advisory, making Aequitas a strategic advisor to institutional investors and fund managers in India’s evolving legal landscape [1][2].
Relation to IC Legal Split
The launch of Aequitas Law Partners follows the split of IC Universal Legal, with the founding trio diverging from the original structure to establish a firm emphasizing innovation, client focus, and high ethical standards in transactional and fund-related work [1][2]. This new firm represents a fresh, independent entity that focuses on transactional, private equity, and venture capital law, aligning with the modern demands of clients and regulatory environments [1][2].
[1] Aequitas Law Partners Press Release, https://aequitaslaw.com/press-release-aequitas-law-partners-launches-in-mumbai/
[2] LiveLaw News, https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/aequitas-law-partners-launches-in-mumbai-with-sambhav-ranka-rowena-de-sousa-and-anita-jain-as-partners-168662
Aequitas Law Partners, with its focus on transactional and fund-related work, offers services in M&A, private equity, and venture capital, leveraging the combined expertise of its founders, Sambhav Ranka, Rowena De Sousa, and Anita Jain. This new business entity, established by the former partners of IC Universal Legal, represents a fresh, independent approach to addressing the modern demands of clients and regulatory environments in India's legal landscape.
Given their diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, the partners of Aequitas Law Partners bring a wealth of experience to the table, particularly in high-stakes, cross-border, and domestic M&A, private equity, and venture capital transactions, corporate advisory, and regulatory practice.
