Our People

Following stints in Mumbai and New York, Manoj returned to London in 2002 and founded MLS Chase.

Manoj is a transactional lawyer and advises clients on their investment and strategic decisions. Manoj’s specialist areas are structuring international joint ventures and dispute resolution. He is a recognised expert on foreign direct investments in India.

He is an accomplished media commentator and is frequently invited to speak at conferences. Manoj has authored over 100 articles and publications.

Manoj is a co-founder of Saffron Chase, a leading India focussed government relations and corporate communications consultancy.

In 2003 he established the London office of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and served as its head for three years. Manoj served on various trade promotion committees, including those of UKTI and the London Chamber of Commerce.

Manoj is a graduate of the London School of Economics. He is dual qualified as an English solicitor and Indian advocate.

Janhavi joined as a partner after a decade in the City and a couple of years in the USA. Previously she was at Denton Wilde Sapte and DLA Piper where she worked with a broad range of clients from blue chip companies, banks and governments to new start-ups, individuals and non-profit making organisations.Having been a corporate lawyer in the media departments of her previous firms, Janhavi gained a unique insight into specialised media and corporate transactions including advising on equity and debt funding, film finance, joint venture agreements, IP protection and corporate restructuring.

In addition to the legal and advisory work, Janhavi assists organisations such as Institute of Directors, BPP and many private and public sector businesses with their training, examinations and specialised courses.

Julian joined MLS Chase in 2007. He was previously retained by the UK’s Department of Trade & Industry (UK Trade & Investment) to provide UK companies with advice and assistance in entering and conducting business in India.From 1995 to 1999 he was Director of International Operations for Vax International Ltd, a British domestic appliance manufacturer. Prior to Vax, he spent 25 years with Rank Xerox Ltd in the UK and overseas. He managed the company’s operations in South Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

Julian established Xerox in India where he set up a manufacturing and marketing joint venture with the Modis. Subsequently with Vax he established a joint venture with Videocon – one of India’s leading white goods manufacturers.

From 1988 to 1992 he was Chairman of the then British Overseas Trade Board’s area advisory group for South Asia. He was awarded the OBE for services to exports in 1992.

Akshay is the managing partner of the MLS Vani & Associates, our associate firm in Mumbai, India. He is dual-qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales and an advocate of the Supreme Court of India with over 15 years of experience.

Akshay is also a solicitor at the Bombay Incorporated Law Society. He is a transactional lawyer and advises clients on their investment and strategic decisions. His experience has benefited the full range of commercial concerns from small business start-ups to multinational global conglomerates.

His recognized specialties are in India entry strategy and implementation, mergers and acquisition, foreign investments, collaborations, real estate. Akshay also has extensive experience in litigation and dispute resolution. Akshay is fluent in English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi.

Vickesh is a solicitor in the MLS Chase corporate practice and has over the years been praised for his commitment to delivering what clients want.After attaining an LLM from King’s College London, Vickesh joined MLS Chase in 2006 and has been with the practice ever since assisting with a broad range of clients from publicly quoted companies to new business start-ups. His experience includes advising on cross border commercial transactions such as joint ventures and acquisitions, intellectual property and general corporate governance. Above all, Vickesh brings a fresh commercial approach to transactions whilst keeping the clients objectives at the forefront.

Manan is an advocate at MLS Vani & Associates, our associate firm in Mumbai, India. He specialises in corporate law, commercial litigation and real estate. Having worked on a range of commercial contracts from shareholders agreements to intellectual property licences he is adept at advising clients on how to protect their interests. As he has also represented clients in the Mumbai High Court, he takes a pragmatic approach to all matters which may become contentious and indeed can give a company the full attention it requires whether the matter is contentious or non-contentious.

During his time at MLS Vani he has had the opportunity to work on transactions involving companies from various parts of the world and as a result Manan strives above all to give clear and workable advice, whatever the client’s field or jurisdiction of work.

Niranjan is a dual qualified solicitor and Maritime arbitrator with over 30 years’ experience in various roles advising clients on Shipping, Aviation, International trade and Energy laws.

From working in the Indian Navy and private practice to most recently as a legal consultant to Reliance Industries for their Petroleum Business, Niranjan’s portfolio includes more than 50 arbitration cases and mediations in India, London and New York. He works with MLS Vani & Associates, our associate firm in Mumbai.

Niranjan has an extensive Maritime law practice, which includes advising on litigation, arrest, release and sale of vessels, ship building, chartering contracts, bills of lading, collision, salvage, mortgage, marine insurance, specialised vessels, ship and project finance. He also regularly acts for international lenders on both ship and aircraft financing deals. His variety of experience makes him adept at working with clients across the entire breadth of the marine sector whether it be on behalf of a P&I club, ship owner, charterer or directly negotiating commercial transactions with several parties.

Niranjan’s choice of sectors in his professional career mirrors his outdoor pursuits as he is an accomplished deep sea-diver.