Milbank LLP partners James Grandolfo, Neeraj Budhwani and John Dewar have been recognized as 2025 International A-List lawyers for India by India Business Law Journal.
The A-List lawyer selections are based on the views of in-house counsel and private practice lawyers in India who nominate lawyers they consider to be the top legal experts for advising on the international aspects of India-related matters. "The A-List lawyers have become indispensable advisers on India-related matters, bridging jurisdictions and driving transactions and disputes that fuel India’s engagement with the world," the publication notes. "Their collective excellence highlights a broader trend: as India rises on the world stage, it is supported by a growing group of legal experts who can effectively support India’s global ambitions."
James Grandolfo: Capital Markets Expert Guiding Indian Companies to Global Capital Markets
James Grandolfo is a partner at Milbank and Managing Partner of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP, with over 25 years of experience advising clients throughout India and Asia. He specializes in capital markets, M&A, PE and leveraged finance transactions.
In the area of capital markets, Mr. Grandolfo advises issuers and investment banks on a wide range of debt and equity offerings, with particular expertise in India advising on IPOs, follow-on offerings, Qualified Institutions Placements (QIPs), block trade and investment grade and high-yield bonds. He also regularly advises on SEC-registered offerings, privatizations and liability management transactions.
"The Indian capital markets landscape presents unique opportunities and challenges that require both global perspective and local insight," says Mr. Grandolfo. "Our team's deep understanding of India's regulatory environment enables us to structure transactions that meet international standards while addressing specific market dynamics."
His experience spans diverse sectors including banking, renewable energy, real estate, airlines, hospitality, gaming, TMT, logistics and infrastructure. Through his extensive network across Asia, Mr. Grandolfo serves prestigious banks and financial institutions including JP Morgan, HSBC, Standard Chartered, UBS, Kotak, ICICI Securities, IIFL Capital, JM Financial and Axis Capital. Prominent corporate clients include Jindal Steel and Power, Reliance, JSW Steel, Hindalco, SBI Life, India Bulls, Tata Steel, JSW Hydro and JSW Infrastructure. He also works with sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities.
Neeraj Budhwani: Cross-Border M&A Strategist Driving India's Corporate Landscape
Neeraj Budhwani is a Hong Kong-based partner in Milbank’s Global Corporate Group, with over two decades of experience advising clients across India and Asia. He specializes in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity (PE) transactions.
In the corporate and M&A space, Mr. Budhwani advises private equity sponsors, alternative investment funds, financial institutions and corporations on a variety of transactions, with particular expertise advising on leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, public-to-private transactions and securities-related matters.
"India's dynamic economy continues to attract significant cross-border investment interest," Mr. Budhwani notes. "Our ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks while delivering commercially pragmatic solutions has been key to helping clients achieve their strategic objectives in this important market."
Mr. Budhwani’s practice spans diverse sectors, including technology, financial services, consumer retail, infrastructure and healthcare, among others. Through his extensive network across Asia, he represents prestigious global financial institutions and private equity firms including CVC, Actis, Advantage Partners, ADV Partners, PAG, Goldman Sachs, True North and IMM Holdings.
His notable India transactions include advising Singapore-based Trustroot Internet Private Limited in connection with its fundraising for its business operations in India trading under the brand “Udaan,” one of India's largest business-to-business e-commerce platform, and representing a financial sponsor on their sale of shares in Samhi Hotels, the third-largest hotel ownership and asset management platform in India, as part of Samhi's public listing.
John Dewar: Infrastructure Finance Expert Powering India's Development Projects
John Dewar is a partner in the firm's London office. Widely recognized as a leading global project finance lawyer, Mr. Dewar has built a broad practice and has a reputation for advising on the most innovative and significant "market-first" transactions around the world.
His practice focuses on advising parties in the development and financing of oil and gas, natural resources, independent power and other infrastructure projects. With his extensive international experience, Mr. Dewar has become a trusted advisor for complex infrastructure projects in India, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
"India's ambitious infrastructure development goals create tremendous opportunities for international investment," says Mr. Dewar. "Our team's experience in structuring complex energy and infrastructure financings helps bridge the gap between global capital and India's growing infrastructure needs."
India Business Law Journal is a market-leading monthly magazine that delivers expert analysis of the legal and regulatory challenges facing domestic and international businesses in India.
