Rohit Kochhar- The Winner Of the Legal Era Premier League Awards (2012-13)

LegalEra, India’s renowned Legal & Corporate Awareness Magazine published by Legal Media Group, admired the distinguished services imparted by the corporate law firms & companies in the legal arena in India and worldwide and bestowed them with awards for their achievements. The Indian Legal Awards 2012-13 function was not like the regular event filled with dancing divas or jumping jacks. Rather it was a prestigious platform where luminaries from the legal world gathered under one head with a vision to felicitate firms, people within the legal area.

The presence of eminent Soli Sorabjee was marked with great respect when the congregation of nearly 560 lawyers, law firms and in-house counsel from both India and worldwide stood up in admiration. The same mark of respect was showed for Justice Deepak Kumar Verma Former Judge Supreme Court of India who came along with Justice S.S. Parker, ex Judge, Bombay High Court.

The evening took-off with Aakriti Raizada, Founding Editor & MD, LegalEra, Legal Media Group, welcomed the audience and also showed them a good audio visual presentation about the magazine’s success and objectives. She emphasized on building a strong judiciary system in the country because without a viable judicial system, the society will neither be able to grow nor proceed towards establishment of new milestones. The legal fraternity plays an imperative role in the development of a nation.

The LegalEra Awards ceremony is one step towards the evolution of the Indian Legal system – Vision 2020. Mr. Lalit Bhasin, President- Inter-Pacific Bar Association, said, “We have seen awards given to film stars, sports persons, literary figures, but no one has thought of the legal profession. I compliment LegalEra for introducing these much needed Awards.” He further asserted, “LegalEra Awards are a “befitting recognition for the legal professional. This recognition for our profession of the administration of justice demands that we honour those who deserve to be honoured!”

Former Justice Deepak Kumar Verma also congratulated Aakriti Raizada for organizing such an event.
However, he regretted on the current state of the legal system, saying, “I am little disappointed in the gradual degradation in the judicial system.” He also said that there are several arbitrary cases pending, stressing the backlog is one of the biggest challenges which a system is facing.

Awards were given in five different categories- Firm, In-House teams, Individuals, Best of the Year and LegalEra Premier League Awards for Business Excellence.

The first award of the evening was won by Bhasin & Co., Advocates for the 'Best Aviation Law Firm'. Kochhar and Co. bagged the Best Real Estate and Construction Law firm of the Year. DLA Piper got the International Capital Market Award and Norton Rose LLP received the 'International Corporate Law Firm of the Year' Award. Naina Lal Kidwai, Group General Manager and Country Head, HSBC India was given 'Corporate Personality of the Year Award' for making outstanding contribution.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to the esteemed Soli Sorabjee, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India. Kelley Drye & Warren LLP was adjudged the 'Best International Law Firm of the Year' & Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co. bagged the award of 'best Indian Law firm of the year'.

Different awards were given to deserving individuals, corporates and firms. Both winning teams and individuals thanked their team, family and friends. There was a sense of pride and excitement in the air as each person was excited at the prospect of being awarded, felicitated and recognised for being the part of the Indian legal system. Rohit Kochhar, Managing Partner, Kochhar & Co and the winner of Legal Era Premier League Awards(2012-2013) said, “I found it really heartening that many young legal entrepreneurs got recognition today.”

The third edition of the event will be held in 2014.