Mini Menon vandePol appointed as the new Chair of Baker McKenzie Global India Practice

Mini Menon vandePol has been appointed as the new Chair of Baker McKenzie Global India Practice.

Menon joined Baker McKenzie’s Melbourne office in 1998 and relocated to the Hong Kong office in 2014. She is the Asia Pacific Head of Baker McKenzie's Investigations, Compliance & Ethics Group and has served on the Firm’s India Practice Group Steering Committee since 2018.

She has played a key role in driving the India strategy, advising both multinational and Indian clients on their inbound and outbound expansion activities. As Chair, she will continue to drive this work while spearheading the Firm’s efforts to prepare for the liberalization of India’s legal market. 

Peerapan Tungsuwan, Global Executive Committee Member with responsibility for India, commented,

“Baker McKenzie has a long history of working on India-related matters, and Mini has been at the forefront of helping our global clients achieve their strategic objectives. She is the perfect fit to continue to drive our India practice forward, alongside our Steering Committee members and India-focused lawyers, as we prepare to open an office in India as soon as we are permitted to. Huge congratulations to Mini on this very well-deserved appointment. I would also like to thank Ashok for his terrific leadership of this group over the years and ongoing commitment to the practice.”

Menon succeeds Singapore-based principal Ashok Lalwani, who served in the role for 12 years and will continue to serve as a member of the India practice’s Steering Committee. Lalwani will be relocating to the firm’s Dallas office / US next year, where he will focus on supporting the firm’s clients with their US-India opportunities and building out US-India practice. He commented,

"It has been a huge honor to lead our Global India Practice over the past 12 years. I’m now excited to further develop my India practice in the US and to capitalize on the US-India corridor, which presents a great opportunity for our clients and our Firm. Mini is a highly regarded lawyer, colleague and friend and will do an excellent job as the next Chair of our India practice.”

Mini Menon vandePol shared her excitement stating,

“I am very excited to take on the leadership of our Global India Practice and feel privileged to contribute to India’s dynamic and exciting economic vision. India’s fast-growing economy, expansive and young workforce, aspirational consumer base, and increasing relevance in global supply chains have accelerated India’s economic development and foreign direct investment. Bringing global best practices and experience will be integral in supporting our international and domestic clients to leverage these trends and grow their businesses. ”

If you would like your Deals, Columns, Press Releases to be published on Bar & Bench, please fill in the form available here.