From left: Ashima Obhan, Essenese Obhan, and Neel Mason
Obhan & Associates and Mason & Associates have joined forces to create a newly aligned and integrated firm called Obhan Mason in New Delhi.
Essenese Obhan, the managing partner of Obhan & Associates, will lead the new firm as managing partner, spearheading the overall strategy, operations and client development. Neel Mason, founder of Mason & Associates, will step into the role as of counsel, focusing on advocacy, strategic disputes and a counsel-led practice.
In an exclusive with India Business Law Journal, Essenese Obhan said, “Our firms have collaborated in the past on matters, and there is deep respect on both sides.
“I know Neel personally, and we share the same vision for the firm, which makes this merger a natural next step.”
Speaking about his new role, Mason told IBLJ, “As of counsel, I will continue to represent clients of the new firm, many of whom I have a very long relationship with, besides concentrating on being a counsel.”
Other important changes include senior partner Ashima Obhan, who will head the corporate and M&A practice and continue to co-chair the TMT practice.
Partners Vihan Dang and Ekta Sharma, along with principal associate Khyati Kantawala and their teams from Mason & Associates, will join Obhan Mason as part of the integration.With this merger, the combined partner strength at Obhan Mason now stands at 10.
The new alliance will bring together complementary strengths. Essenese Obhan told IBLJ, “This merger is based on a strategic alignment of our practice strengths and will allow us to serve our clients with greater scale and expertise.
“We will be following a phased integration process with clear communication with all clients and stakeholders.”
Mason adds, “Our respective firm’s strengths complement each other, and we have worked on matters together in the past. The timing seems right for the firms to merge.”
It is believed that the firms have begun the integration process, aligning practice areas, knowledge systems and internal workflows to ensure a smooth and coherent transition.
Speaking on the cultural balance between firms, Obhan said, “I believe we are culturally aligned and share the same value system. This is not about one culture absorbing the other but rather about creating a stronger and integrated culture that inspires people to reach their full potential.
