Promode Murugavelu: Joins Trilegal Chennai as Corporate M&A Partner

• Promode Murugavelu, formerly a Corporate Partner at Khaitan & Co, is joining Trilegal's Chennai office.
• He is the first lateral hire for Trilegal's Chennai branch since its establishment in February 2026.
• Murugavelu possesses 20 years of experience, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, private equity, and venture capital.
• His expertise spans diverse industries including healthcare, manufacturing, edtech, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.
• Khaitan & Co's Executive Director confirmed his departure, acknowledging his contributions to their Chennai corporate practice.

This strategic appointment is particularly notable as Murugavelu represents the first lateral hire for Trilegal's Chennai office since its opening in February 2026, underscoring the firm's commitment to expanding its regional capabilities.

Promode Murugavelu, a distinguished corporate lawyer, is set to join Trilegal's Chennai office, transitioning from his role as a Corporate Partner at Khaitan & Co. This strategic appointment is particularly notable as Murugavelu represents the first lateral hire for Trilegal's Chennai office since its opening in February 2026, signaling a significant expansion of the firm's regional capabilities.

His departure from Khaitan & Co was confirmed by Amar Sinhji, the Executive Director at the firm. Sinhji acknowledged Murugavelu's valuable contributions, stating that his efforts were instrumental in developing their Corporate Practice in Chennai, and extended best wishes for his future endeavors. Efforts to obtain a comment from Trilegal regarding this high-profile move have been made.

Mr. Murugavelu brings a wealth of experience to Trilegal, boasting two decades in the legal profession. A 2006 alumnus of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) in Kolkata, his expertise spans a broad spectrum of corporate law matters. He is particularly adept in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, complex corporate restructuring, and the formation of joint ventures.

Furthermore, his practice encompasses specialized fields like private equity and venture capital, where he has provided counsel to a diverse client base. His industry experience is extensive, covering sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, edtech, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Prior to his three-and-a-half-year tenure as a Partner at Khaitan & Co, Murugavelu held positions at other prominent legal institutions, including Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, the erstwhile Amarchand Mangaldas, Tatva Legal (now known as TLH Advocates), and Dua Associates.

The addition of Promode Murugavelu, a seasoned corporate lawyer, to Trilegal's Chennai team underscores the firm's strategic intent to bolster its corporate and M&A capabilities in South India. As the first lateral hire for the Chennai office since its inception, his arrival is a clear indicator of Trilegal's commitment to strengthening its presence and service offerings in the region.

Murugavelu's deep expertise in critical areas like private equity and venture capital, combined with his broad industry experience, is expected to significantly enhance Trilegal Chennai's capacity to serve clients requiring sophisticated legal advice in these dynamic fields. This move positions Trilegal to further capitalize on the growing corporate and investment activity within the region, reinforcing its standing as a key player in the Indian legal market.

This lateral move signals Trilegal's strategic expansion and strengthening of its corporate and M&A capabilities in Chennai. Lawyers and compliance officers seeking expert counsel in corporate restructuring, private equity, or venture capital in South India should note this key addition to Trilegal's regional team.

Source: Reporting based on an exclusive from Bar & Bench.