Khaitan & Co is set to hire Basava Rao and Shabbeer Ahmed as Partners, as the firm looks to expand its presence in Hyderabad.

Commenting on the development, Khaitan & Co Executive Director - Human Resources Amar Sinhji said,

"The onboarding of these Partners is to support our growth in the South, specifically in Hyderabad, alongside our established offices in Bengaluru and Chennai. This reflects our strong conviction in the immense opportunities that the broader Southern market presents. It also reaffirms our long-term commitment to building deep, future-ready capabilities across India’s most dynamic business corridors."

Joining from TLH Advocates, Rao is a 2008 alumnus of Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur. With over 17 years of experience in corporate and commercial laws, Rao specialises in venture capital and private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring advisory. His previous engagements include stints at Nishith Desai Associates and IndusLaw. He will be part of the firm's M&A practice.

Rao will be joined by Vasavi Kaparthi from Vakta Legal as Counsel in the Corporate and Real Estate Practice.

Joining from CMS IndusLaw, ⁠Ahmed is a 2008 alumnus of National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal. He has over 17 years of experience advising various multinational clients on complex litigation matters and has also been engaged by clients to formulate and advise on risk-mitigating strategies. In the past, he has worked with Kochhar & Co, Fox Mandal & Associates and Amarchand Mangaldas.

Ahmed will be joined by V Aneesh from CMS IndusLaw as Counsel in Khaitan's Disputes and Insolvency Practice.