Former AZB Partner Vineetha MG sets up own firm V Chambers of Law to operate out of Mumbai

Former AZB Partner Vineetha MG has set up her own law firm called ‘V Chambers of Law’. The firm has been operational since November 15, 2012 and the office is located in Himalaya House on Palton Road, Mumbai..‘V Chambers of Law’ is a full service law firm with a primary focus on corporate advisory, M&A, private equity (including fund formation), banking & finance and corporate compliance..Vineetha is a graduate of National Law School of India University, Bangalore. She started her career with ICICI Bank where she worked for about three years before joining AZB & Partners. She worked at AZB for more than 11 years..The existing team at V Chambers of Law has 7 lawyers including Vineetha. Speaking to Bar & Bench, about the growth of the firm, Vineetha said, “I don’t intend to scale up beyond 10 lawyers till 2015. At present we have an office in Mumbai but we intend to have a pan India presence”..She added, “The emphasis currently is on quality and not merely quantity. Furthermore, I have been very fortunate with the team selection process and the team currently comprises of a mix of experienced associates who have all previously worked with leading Indian law firms and freshers who have graduated from reputed Indian law schools”..AZB & Partners Mumbai Managing and Co-founding Partner Zia Mody said, “We wish Vineetha all the very best going forward”..Bar & Bench spoke to Vineetha MG about her decision to set up her own law firm, vision for the firm and her experience at AZB..Bar & Bench: Could you tell us more about your decision to leave AZB & Partners? .Vineetha MG: It was a difficult decision, both emotionally and professionally, but a necessary one I think. I was looking for a greater challenge professionally and hence had decided to move on and implement a long-standing aspiration of starting a law firm. I think turning entrepreneurial is the natural progression after a decade (and more) at AZB..Having said that, my time at AZB was the most rewarding, personally and professionally, and I will always cherish it..B&B: What prompted you to set up your own law firm? Was this something you always had in mind?.Vineetha: There are moments in our life when we are at the crossroads and need to choose a path. I found myself in one of those moments and I just decided. I guess the rest falls into place..B&B: What is your vision for the firm?.Vineetha: The firm aspires to be a full service law firm that is synonymous with legal excellence, professionalism, work ethics and reliability..Clients will be our epicenter and the firm aims to provide comprehensive, timely, efficacious, in depth and innovative solutions to all possible legal requirements of our clients. We therefore intend to constantly engage with and anticipate the needs of our clients and endeavor to deliver services far beyond the client’s expectations. Each lawyer of the firm shares this vision..I also want to pursue something, which is very close to my heart. I have envisioned a firm that also pays back to the society in the form of pro-bono work. The firm will therefore incentivize its lawyers to participate in pro bono activities early in their careers and will support lawyers who volunteer for pro bono work..B&B: Very few women have gone out and set up their own law firms. Your thoughts?.Vineetha: I have been very fortunate to have worked with women who have been super achievers, be it in ICICI or at AZB. Zia did go out there and start a firm of the magnitude of AZB. So I always have a reference point. In fact some of the best lawyers I have met in my life are women. So, frankly, this question baffles me!.B&B: In this market scenario, how difficult is it to set up a law firm?.Vineetha: There is enough depth and work in the market to keep everyone busy. I think the challenge will be in execution and meeting the expectations of the client.