Dhir partner Jay Cheema joins Clasis for int’l reach, to start energy-infra practice

Lateral Partner Appointment: Jay Cheema Joins Clasis Law to Lead Energy Practice

In a notable lateral movement within the Indian corporate legal sector, senior infrastructure partner Jay Cheema joins Clasis Law to establish and lead the firm's dedicated energy and infrastructure practice India practice group in New Delhi. The strategic appointment follows the Dhir and Dhir Associates partner move, enabling Clasis Law to expand its outbound project advisory capabilities through the Clasis Law Clyde and Co alliance.

Strategic Rationale and Energy Market Outlook in India

India's rapid economic development and accelerating industrialization have driven substantial capital deployment into conventional and renewable energy sectors. Power generation utilities, oil exploration corporations, transmission networks, and renewable project developers require sophisticated legal counsel to navigate complex regulatory environments and multi-tiered financing structures. The globalization of Indian energy conglomerates has resulted in increased outbound acquisitions of mining concessions, petroleum exploration rights, and renewable energy assets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Cheema stated that his decision to join Clasis Law was anchored in the firm's international vision and the rapid expansion of cross-border energy opportunities. Having established and nurtured the energy and infrastructure practice at Dhir & Dhir Associates, which had historically focused on corporate debt restructuring and telecommunications law, he emphasized that transactional and regulatory advisory services in energy law are expanding at a rapid pace nationally and internationally.

International Reach Through the Clyde & Co Relationship

A central pillar of the transition is Clasis Law's formal relationship with international law firm Clyde & Co. Through a preferential referral cooperation agreement, Clasis Law provides Indian legal advisory while collaborating on complex cross-border transactions, project financings, and international commercial arbitrations across international business hubs.

• Cross-Border Energy and Resource Acquisitions: The alliance facilitates advisory support for Indian corporate entities acquiring energy concessions, oil blocks, and mining interests in South America, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Project Finance, Syndicated Loans, and EPC Structuring: The combined capability allows the practice to draft and negotiate complex Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts, power purchase agreements (PPAs), concession agreements, and syndicated project finance documentation.
• International Arbitration and Dispute Management: Energy and infrastructure projects involve substantial capital risk; the alliance offers clients integrated dispute resolution representation in arbitral seats such as London, Singapore, Paris, and Dubai under ICC, LCIA, and SIAC rules.

Practice Group Expansion and Growth Strategy at Clasis Law

The addition of the energy and infrastructure practice group represents a key milestone in Clasis Law's ongoing institutional growth across its New Delhi and Mumbai offices. The firm has systematically diversified its transactional practice areas to provide full-service corporate advisory capabilities to domestic enterprises and multinational clients.

Prior to Cheema's appointment, Clasis Law expanded its tax advisory vertical in September by recruiting Manoj Mishra, formerly an indirect tax director at Grant Thornton, as partner and practice head in New Delhi. The combination of established corporate, indirect taxation, and energy-infrastructure capabilities positions the firm to deliver multidisciplinary transactional counsel for capital-intensive industrial developments, mergers, and joint ventures.

Succession Planning and Reorganization at Dhir & Dhir Associates

At Dhir & Dhir Associates, the departure of Jay Cheema prompted an internal reorganization of the firm's projects and infrastructure team. Dhir & Dhir CEO Manju Mohotra acknowledged Cheema's contributions to the firm and outlined the succession strategy implemented across the practice.

• Internal Leadership Transition: Associate Partner Santosh Pandey assumed leadership of the oil and gas vertical in addition to his existing project responsibilities across road transport, thermal power, renewable energy, and port infrastructure.
• Institutional Team Depth: Pandey joined the firm in August 2012, a period during which Dhir & Dhir experienced substantial expansion in infrastructure advisory work. The firm emphasized that experienced senior associates maintain direct working relationships with longstanding industrial clients.
• Strategic Talent Management: CEO Manju Mohotra indicated that the firm would prioritize internal promotions and bench depth rather than immediately seeking an external lateral partner hire to replace Cheema.

Market Trends in Law Firm Lateral Hiring in the Energy Sector

This partner transition reflects wider structural evolutions across law firm lateral hiring energy sector practices throughout India. With ongoing reforms introduced by regulatory bodies such as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and policy initiatives promoting green hydrogen and solar parks, specialized legal expertise is in high demand.

Senior transactional attorneys increasingly seek law firm platforms with international connectivity to service outbound cross-border investments and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. For emerging enterprises, startup founders, and infrastructure developers, access to experienced legal counsel is essential for contract risk mitigation and statutory compliance. These developments mirror broader transactional legal requirements, ranging from specialized corporate and startup lawyer advisory services to rigorous professional training supported by dedicated LLB tuition in Bangalore.

Summary of Key Law Firm Appointments and Institutional Focus