Baker & McKenzie has appointed Ashok Lalwani as Head of the firm’s Global India Practice, replacing the outgoing head David Jacobs, who led the India practice since 2005 and is now retiring as a partner of the firm. The appointment is effective from October 2012.

Baker & McKenzie has appointed Ashok Lalwani as Head of the firm’s Global India Practice, replacing the outgoing head David Jacobs, who led the India practice since 2005 and is now retiring as a partner of the firm. The appointment is effective from October 2012.

Lalwani joined Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow, as a partner in 2002. He also heads the firm’s Asia Pacific and US Securities practices. He has more than 23 years of experience advising leading financial institutions and corporates on international securities, mergers and acquisitions, as well as general corporate law. Lalwani is a US qualified lawyer. He did his J.D. from University of Notre Dame (1989). He also holds a M.B.A. degree from Michigan State University.

Lalwani, as India Pratice head will lead a team of more than 300 multi-disciplinary lawyers globally. He has more than 15 years of experience handling Indian transactions both inbound and outbound for clients in various industries.

“I am honoured to have been appointed as head of the practice,” said Ashok Lalwani.

“India presents one of the best growth opportunities for business today, with strong economic fundamentals and burgeoning domestic consumption. As Indian companies continue to go global to gain access to overseas markets, acquire natural resources, new technologies and established brands, our priority is to further assist our Indian clients with their global aspirations,” added Lalwani.

Eduardo Leite, Chairman of the Firm’s Executive Committee in a statement said, “Ashok’s entrenched relationships with many of the Indian conglomerates and his strong cross-border transactional experience makes him a natural fit for this position.”