Mini Menon vandePol to chair Baker McKenzie’s global India practice

Baker McKenzie has named Mini Menon vandePol as the new chair of its global India practice.

She takes over for Singapore-based principal Ashok Lalwani, who helmed the practice for 12 years. Menon vandePol is presently the APAC head of Baker McKenzie’s investigations, compliance and ethics group, and she has been part of the India Practice Group Steering Committee since 2018.

“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,” said Peerapan Tungsuwan, who is a global executive committee member with responsibility for India.

Menon vandePol started her legal career with Baker McKenzie, joining the Melbourne office in 1998 before relocating to its Hong Kong branch in 2014. She has advised multinational and Indian clients on inbound and outbound expansion activities.

In her new role, she will lead preparations for the liberalization of the legal market in India in addition to her existing work.  

“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,” Menon vandePol said.

On vacating the chair role, Lalwani will remain on the India practice steering committee. He will concentrate on developing the firm’s US-India practice, working with clients on US-India opportunities from Baker McKenzie’s Dallas office.

With Menon vandePol’s appointment as chair, the firm’s global India practice steering committee will consist of the following:

APAC

• Menon vandePol (chair)
• Ashish Chugh
• Emmanuel Hadjidakis
• Lalwani
• Tungsuwan

EMEA

• Samantha Mobley
• Hani Naja
• Philippe Reich
• Virusha Subban
• Ash Tiwari

Latin America

• Adolfo Duranona
• Teresa Tovar

North America

• Aarthi Belani
• Joy K. Gallup

Baker McKenzie’s global India practice encompasses over 300 lawyers across over 70 offices.