HC: I’ve always kept up with Mr Luthra even when I left and set up my own office. At that time, he came and gave me a very nice gift. Quite a warm person. He also, from time to time, referred matters to me where he was conflicted. We would meet socially and otherwise, but we always stayed connected.
For the last couple of years, he and I have been having a serious discussion of working together. His firm was doing okay, we were doing fine, so there was no rush or emergency. We took our time and always believed there was enough time to deal with this. Unfortunately, he left.
Then, a reach-out happened, a discussion happened. Since the discussion had been going on during Mr Luthra’s time, it was easier, and this time, we said, “Let’s conclude it fast.”
It had to be a merger. I could not come alone, I have to bring my team and if I’m bringing my team, I’m bringing my entire practice. Therefore, it was a merger.
Mr Luthra and I had been discussing it for a few years. We had discussed a merger – how to do it, how not to do it, what are the pros and cons, what would be the consequences for me, for him, long term – all of those were in discussion.
One major change was that there was no Managing Partner role at that time. I would have been as a second-in-command because he was there. That was a shift. Most of the other things we had discussed.
Source: Barandbench
