Given the global economic uncertainties, the Indian capital markets have been quite volatile resulting in companies shelving or putting on hold their capital raising plans. The deal flow this year on the capital markets front has been alarmingly slow. In the backdrop of this atmosphere, leading Indian and International capital markets lawyers, investment bankers and corporates discussed the current state of markets, transaction structures, opportunities and way forward at a conference organised by the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) in Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai on December 13, 2011.

There were six panels that discussed issues such as 'Overview of the Indian securities market'; 'How to list overseas'; 'Considerations in structuring Indian and international debt and equity-linked offerings'; 'Equity issuances: considerations, challenges and alternatives in a shrinking market'; and 'Managing liability in a challenging market environment'.

The lawyer panelists included Cyril Shroff, Yash Ashar and Prashant Gupta from Amarchand Mangaldas; Mohit Saraf and Madhurima Mukherjee from Luthra & Luthra and Sandip Bhagat, S&R Associates. The international lawyers on the panel included Rajiv Gupta, Latham & Watkins, Arun Balasubramanian and Dean Lockhart from Linklaters and David Makarechian and Pooja Sinha from O' Melveny and Myers.

The event was very well attended with over 100 investment bankers and corporates in the audience. Such events are a good way for the law firms to showcase to their clients their expertise and knowledge. The event was sponsored by leading Indian and international law firms – Amarchand Mangaldas, Luthra & Luthra, Latham & Watkins, Linklaters and O’Melveny & Myers.

CNBC and Bar & Bench were the media partners to the event.