PSA Legal branches out to Chennai

Priti Suri & Associates (PSA) has branched out its first presence outside of Delhi, in Chennai’s Nungambakkam posh area. PSA Delhi had previously in October 2009 moved upscale, to a larger office area in Central-Delhi’s Barakhamba Road..Priti Suri & Associates (PSA) has branched out its first presence outside of Delhi, in Chennai’s Nungambakkam posh area. PSA Delhi had previously in October 2009 moved upscale, to a larger office area in Central-Delhi’s Barakhamba Road..Speaking with Bar & Bench, founder Partner Priti Suri (pictured) said, “Chennai is a booming industry (manufacturing) and a technology (services) hub that is expanding at a mammoth pace. As far back as the turn of the millennium, several of our clients started to relocate to Chennai due to the substantial cost advantages. We have been servicing clients there for over a decade now. Given the level of investment and the corresponding exponential business growth of that city, we feel that there is a strong vacuum for users of sophisticated legal services and, therefore a tremendous untapped market opportunity. Clients should not have to go to Delhi, Mumbai for complex transactions. The focus of most law firms has been on other metros in the south, and Chennai tends to get neglected or offices in that city tend to remain as satellite offices. We believe in that market and the local industry and want to have a full service capability there and support our existing and future local clients with high-quality legal services”..On heading PSA in Chennai, Priti Suri said, “We have short-listed few senior persons and are in discussion with them, which we expect to close soon. If need be, we will prefer to delay, but it is crucial to find the right candidates who fulfil the criteria of the firm and match the client expectations as well”..Priti added on to say, “Senior Associate Neeraj Dubey, who travels frequently to Chennai will divide his time between Delhi and Chennai and will assist in training and mentoring the local lawyers to the firm’s practices. I will also spend time as much as needed. Basically, we will do what it takes in order to nurture a new location and new people”..Talking on the recruitment strategy for Chennai Priti said, “The recruitment strategy will be aggressive, but the focus as noted above, shall be on high-quality hires. We also believe that while lawyers from Delhi can and will mentor the lawyers hired locally, bring them up to speed with the firm’s practices and processes, it is imperative to have strong local lawyers in place who will bring their own unique experience and knowledge. We have started to fill mid-level associate’s positions and are using several methods – online, head-hunting and word of mouth..PSA Legal’s new address in Chennai is 3B, Jamals Musfira Chambers, 2/17, Jagannathan Road in Nungambakkam..Apart from being the founder Partner at PSA Legal, Priti Suri is President of SOWL (Society of Women Lawyers) India and is holding its SOWL India chapter conference on 26th February, 2011.