Top law firm partners defy risks to start boutique firms

Karishma Sundara had already spent six years working at India's top law firms before joining Trilegal, another marquee name in the country's legal profession, as an equity partner three years ago.

- Neha Joshi & Priyanka Gawande

But an "irrefutable desire" to start her own practice lingered. In August, boutique legal services provider Kintsugi Law was born.

"I've helped entities shape and deploy compliant, impactful tech products and features for years -there's no better way to be bitten by the entrepreneurial bug," said the first-generation lawyer. She named her firm after the Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery with gold-mixed lacquer, signifying transformation while preserving the old.

At least 10 partners from firms like Cyril Amarchand, Trilegal, and AZB & Partners started own ventures in the past year.

Repeats every few years. This time, the scale of opportunity is bigger, driven by a growing economy and investments. The industry is also facing elevated churn as firms poach high-profile partners ahead of foreign entry. Clients are strengthening in-house legal teams, raising the risk for new, independent firms.