I am a 2018 law graduate (Gold Medalist) from Gujarat National Law University, India and joined one of the premier law firms in India - Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, and presently working as a Managing Associate with the Firm.
I was promoted from Associate to Senior Associate position in 2021 in just 3 years, a rarity in the Firm’s history. I am now a Managing Associate (elevated in 2023), leading and managing a team of 5 counsels and 3 non-counsels (paralegal).
Listed as ‘Recommended Lawyer’ by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 in Real Estate practice.
https://www.legal500.com/firms/31270-luthra-and-luthra-law-offices-india/32531-new-delhi-india/
Awarded the prestigious BW Legal World “30 under 30” award – Elite Club of Lawyers and Legal Influencers of 2022.
https://bwlegalworld.businessworld.in/article/Winners-Announced-For-BW-Legal-World-s-Second-Edition-Top-30-Under-30-Lawyers-And-Legal-Influencers-2023/20-03-2023-469669/
I am a transactional lawyer rendering legal advisory and regulatory / compliance related assistance in the real estate sector to both on-shore and off-shore clients.
A distinguishable feature of my practice is that it’s not only niche but also not limited to any particular state(s) or region in India. I practice on ‘Pan India’ basis on varied property & land laws, regulations, procedures etc. (land being a state subject in India). My in-depth knowledge & expertise of land laws, ownership / tenancy rights, transferability issues, permitted usage & conversion (revenue and town planning laws), land ceiling etc. under diverse legal regime prevalent in multiple states puts me amongst some exclusive lawyers in Tier 1 law firms practicing in real estate.
Broad spectrum of my profile and clientele includes:
• Joint Ventures for developers and investors like Godrej Properties, Godrej Fund Management, Birla Estates, Elan Developers, Experion Developers;
• Investment & Funding of clients like Kotak Realty, DMI Finance, SWAMIH Investment Fund, amongst others;
• Land Acquisition & Aggregation for country’s leading renewable energy developers like ACME Solar, ReNew Power, AM Green, Adani Green, Blueleaf, Statkraft, Aditya Birla Renewable, IB-VOGT, Apraava encompassing acquisition of over 200,000 acres in multiple Indian states;
• Warehousing & Logistic Parks being established by Ascendas FirstSpace, Embassy and Panattoni.
• RERA litigations, advising top developers like Godrej Properties, Experion Developers in their RERA matters pertaining to deficiency in construction, possession delays, overcharging etc. I am also advising real estate web portals such as Proptiger, Housing and Makaan in proceedings before various State RERA authorities.
With my strong commercial awareness and solution-based approach, in last 5+ years I have distinguished myself as a ‘business lawyer’ and ‘trusted advisor’ to my clients.
Possessing these traits, with my knowledge and experience of diverse laws in the real estate sector and having the privilege of advising all stakeholders (landowners, developers, investors, lenders and end-users), I am well-versed with the entire spectrum of issues on both sides and therefore have an edge over my contemporaries.
More Details
Some of the key transactions / assignments handled by me in recent past are as under:
DEAL 1: Advised Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Export-Import Bank of India, India Infrastructure Finance Company (UK) Limited, MUFG Bank, Ltd., Société Générale and YES Bank Limited - IFSC Banking Unit in connection with foreign currency term loan facilities for approx. USD 425 Million to Serentica Renewables for construction, operation and maintenance of a 200 MW hybrid (wind and solar) power project in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. This deal has been awarded the “Indian Deal of the Year” at the PFI Awards. (https://www.pfie.com/story/4290978/asia-pacific-awards-xzxsyzcrgf)
Media Coverage:
DEAL 2: Advised Godrej Properties in its acquisition of 15 acres land parcel in Sector 103, Gurugram from Microtek Infratech, for development of a group housing project at a deal value of ~ INR 403 Crore.
Media Coverage:
https://www.livelaw.in/law-firms/deals/luthra-and-luthra-law-offices-godrej-properties-247917
DEAL 3: Advised Benetton India on sale of its industrial land and building in Gurugram to Conscient Infrastructure for deal value of ~ INR 85 Crores. Entire deal was handedly by me providing continuous support to the Client on all aspects including title diligence, regulatory requirements of stamping & registration and document negotiations with Conscient and Argus Partners (their counsel).
Media Coverage:
https://www.livelaw.in/law-firms/deals/luthra-and-luthra-benetton-india-232113
DEAL 4: Acted for Panattoni in acquisition of lands measuring 16 Acres at NH 71, District Jhajjar, Delhi NCR for establishing a Grade A warehouse park. It is Client’s pilot project being INR 110 Crores investment in Phase 1 itself, marking its debut in Indian warehousing sector.
Media Coverage:
DEAL 5: Acted as India counsel to Emerson Electric Co. for sale of majority stake in its Climate Technologies business to Blackstone in a transaction valuing the business at USD 14 billion.
Media Coverage:
DEAL 6: Acted for SWAMI Investment Fund in USD 48 Million NCD funding of ‘Mantri Serenity’ project at Bengaluru.
Media Coverage:
DEAL 7: Advised BAYER in the sale of its cotton, pearl millet, sorghum and mustard seed business and related assets in India under the ProAgro® brand to Crystal Crop Protection.
Media Coverage:
DEAL 8: Advised ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Limited in acquisition of a 500 MW gas based power plant in Hazira owned by Bhander Power Limited (Essar group company) for approx. USD 70 Million under Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act, 2002.
Media Coverage:
DEAL 9: Advised State Bank of India (the lead bank) and consortium of 18 banks & financial institutions in 2021, in a one-time restructuring of debt of INR 16,000 Crores of Shapoorji Pallonji & Company which was one of the first and the largest one-time restructurings to take place under the resolution framework for Covid-19 related stress.
Media Coverage:
https://www.sbicaps.com/case_studies/shapoorji-pallonji-company-private-limited-spcpl/
Apart from core legal advisory, I am regular with professional and educational workshops including quite recently:
- Lecture on ‘Transfer of Property Act’ organized by Gujarat National Law University
- Guest Lecturer at LawSikho – “How to do Title Verification and Due Diligence of Immovable Properties”
- Co-authored the India chapter of ‘The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Real Estate’
- Attended and prepared research note for the panel discussion on \\\\\\\"Laws of Real Estate: Dilemma of Legal Overlaps & Ambiguity\\\\\\\" at the 15th Realty+ Conclave & Excellence Awards, 2023 - NORTH
I have also participated in conferences and workshops on RERA for home buyer associations, developers, and young lawyers to help them understand interpretational nuances, rights & liabilities, redressal & remedies, etc. along with critical evaluations of recent judgements and situations before the relevant forums. With the introduction of RERA and related amendments in IBC, there have been colossal changes and varied impacts on the real estate sector.
It is always challenging, yet enriching, to be part of such informative discussions with people of varied background which helps me to understand different situations and perspectives and mature as a professional lawyer.
Manjul Mantri - Client Testimonials
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