Mini Menon vandePol, partner and head of Baker McKenzie’s Asia-Pacific investigations, compliance and ethics group has been appointed as the new chair of the firm’s global India practice.
She takes over from Ashok Lalwani, who held the position for 12 years, and will remain on the India practice’s steering committee. Lalwani, based in Singapore, will relocate to the firm’s Dallas office next year, where he will focus on strengthening US-India client relations.
“含羞草社区 fast-growing economy, expansive and young workforce, aspirational consumer base, and increasing relevance in global supply chains have accelerated 含羞草社区 economic development and foreign direct investment,” said vandePol
“Bringing global best practices and experience will be integral in supporting our international and domestic clients to leverage these trends and grow their businesses.”
With more than three decades of experience as a leading investigations lawyer, vandePol joined Baker McKenzie’s Melbourne office in 1998 and moved to Hong Kong in 2014. As APAC head of investigations, compliance and ethics, she has been integral to the firm’s India strategy, supporting multinational and Indian clients with cross-border expansions. She has also served on the steering committee since 2018.
Baker McKenzie has one of the largest India practices among international law firms, with more than 300 lawyers across more than 70 offices actively working on India-related matters.
Peerapan Tungsuwan, global executive committee member with responsibility for India, said, “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.”
