After spending about three decades at AZB & Partners, Senior Partner Sunila Awasthi is leaving the firm to join Lex Jurists..Speaking on Awasthi's decision to leave, Ajay Bahl, Founding Partner of AZB & Partners, said,"Sunila and I have an association that predates AZB. Her contribution in both phases is very appreciated. She has also been a very good mentor including in imbibing the culture and values that are dear to the firm and me and to many others. I respect her decision to move on and wish her the best.".Awasthi is a 1992 Campus Law Centre, Delhi University Law graduate..At AZB, she was heading a team of 28 lawyers, practising general corporate advisory while also specialising in labour & employment matters as well as fintech, data privacy and technology-related laws..On exiting AZB & Partners, Awasthi shared,"I am leaving behind amazing memories - it has truly been a roller coaster ride! I am thankful to Ajay Bahl for being my guru & mentor in my formative years. The single most important reason for my long stint at AZB was being given complete freedom to build my team, identify practise areas, resource planning, managing client relationships, billing etc. Now I believe it's time to step aside for the next generation to lead, and I am very proud that my first junior 18 years ago - Rachit Bahl (no relation to Ajay Bahl) - will be stepping into my shoes to lead the fantastic team I built with his able support. He is the perfect successor because of his passion, brilliance & capabilities!”.Awasthi will be joining Lex Jurists in a senior management role. Lex Jurists is a New Delhi-based boutique law firm specialising in criminal and civil litigation, matrimonial practice and recently, in general advisory, particularly for start-ups..Speaking on the development, Awasthi said,“I am super excited to join my best friend and batchmate Rajinder Singh, founder & managing partner at Lex Jurists! It has been inspiring to see him build his firm from scratch with sheer hard work, brilliance and integrity. He has an amazing core team with a very bright future ahead! So, when the offer to join Lex Jurists in a management role came, it was no-brainer, especially, when you want to get-off the “billing treadmill” but still have a lot left to offer to the profession after three decades!Both of us are first-generation lawyers who went in completely opposite direction of corporate law and criminal litigation but today, 35 years later, our shared value systems and desire to build a legacy has brought us together professionally!Re-affirming my immense trust in, and huge respect for, Rajinder, I am delighted to join his journey with Lex Jurists to move ahead with passion and commitment. I now look forward to contributing towards Lex Jurists’ journey to the next level of becoming one of India’s premier boutique law firms.”.On Awasthi joining Lex Jurists, Rajinder Singh, Founder & Managing Partner at Lex Jurists, shared,"I am extremely grateful that Sunila Awasthi has decided to join our firm. Sunila is recognised as country’s top most counsel in her area of practice. I truly believe that our team would gain immense benefit from her experience and expertise which she has built working with AZB & Partners specifically building teams for future.I’m sure that Sunila’s joining as a Co Managing Partner would help us build a strong practice and legacy.".If you would like your Deals, Columns, Press Releases to be published on Bar & Bench, please fill in the form available here.
