[Breaking]: Naik Naik strengthens referral agreement with international law firm Gowling WLG

Naik Naik & Company has entered into a revised referral agreement with international law firm Gowling WLG with a commitment to further strengthen and deepen their existing relationship..Earlier in 2013, Naik Naik had entered into a non-exclusive referral relationship with Lawrence Graham. Later, Lawrence Graham merged with Wragge & Co. in 2014 and formed Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG)..In 2016, Canada’s second-largest independent law firm Gowlings had merged with WLG to form a new international law firm, Gowling WLG, with offices across Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Asia..Naik Naik, set up in 2004, has worked closely with Gowling WLG (UK) LLP and its India Group – jointly headed by corporate partner Sunil Kakkad – for several years now, and this agreement will further strengthen their existing relationship..With this referral agreement, Naik Naik will also have a relationship with Gowling WLG LLP (Canada) in addition to Gowling WLG LLP (UK)..This agreement will enable Gowling WLG clients in need of legal advice in India, or those seeking to enter the Indian market, to access Naik Naik & Company’s legal services..In turn, the agreement will also allow Naik Naik to support its domestic clients looking to expand beyond India’s borders through referrals to one or more of Gowling WLG’s offices across Canada, the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm’s clients will benefit from Gowling WLG’s expertise in advising Indian businesses on a variety of corporate, dispute resolution and intellectual property matters across numerous key sectors, from automotive, energy and tech to life sciences, real estate and media..Commenting on the agreement, Ameet B Naik, founder and managing partner of Naik Naik & Company, said:.“The Indian economy is witnessing a notable shift in trade paradigms and the evolution of new and emerging markets. Our renewed agreement demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our ties and forging a deeper relationship with Gowling WLG and, more importantly, allow our clients to navigate the global marketplace with confidence alongside a law firm with an impressive international footprint and expertise that is known the world over.”.Andrew Witts, Chairman of Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, said:.“This is a further step in an already important relationship and represents our commitment to Naik Naik & Company and India as a crucial jurisdiction for Gowling WLG and our clients.”.Peter Lukasiewicz, chief executive officer of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, added:.“More and more, our clients are looking for strategic legal advice on a wide range of business issues in India. Our referral agreement with Naik Naik & Company will facilitate the delivery of this advice – and help clients take full advantage of the commercial opportunities the country affords.”.Several Indian law firms had entered into best friend relationships with foreign law firms over the years, with some of them coming to an end. AZB & Partners and Clifford Chance had ended their relationship in 2011, while Trilegal and Allen & Overy had called it off in 2012..However, some Indian law firms are still going strong with their relationships with foreign firms. For example, Talwar Thakore & Associates with Linklaters, Clyde & Co and Sumeet Lall’s CSL Chambers, MNSA Legal with Cathay Associates and Indian Law Partners with Ashurst.