Water & Shark Expanded Legal Reach via Partnership
The firm added a new senior partner and aligned with ASG & Partners to support cross-border dispute resolution.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Business Strategy
Water & Shark has appointed Aniket Gautam as Senior Managing Partner for international legal practice and established a strategic partnership with ASG & Partners. This collaboration allows both firms to provide integrated support for multi-jurisdictional disputes while maintaining their own governance structures.
Why it matters
The shift aims to address increasing demand for integrated legal enforcement in cross-border matters between regions like India and the UAE. By aligning expertise, the firms intend to manage complex multi-jurisdictional challenges that often complicate international business operations.
The firm enters this partnership with a 10-year professional relationship between its leadership and new partner Aniket Gautam. This arrangement connects two distinct legal entities to expand capabilities across India and the UAE.
The players
Water & Shark
A legal consultancy that provides cross-border dispute resolution and international advisory services.
Aniket Gautam
A legal practitioner with extensive experience arguing cases before major Indian courts including the Supreme Court of India and the NCLT.
ASG & Partners
An India-based law firm that serves as a strategic partner to expand cross-border legal depth.
The details
Under this agreement, Water & Shark and ASG & Partners will share legal expertise and resources to handle international disputes. While professionals from both organizations will collaborate on active cases, both firms continue to operate as independent entities with separate governance. The partnership is designed to streamline the enforcement process for clients navigating multi-jurisdictional regulations.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Aniket Gautam was announced as the new Senior Managing Partner.
Market Landscape
This partnership reflects the ongoing trend of firms integrating cross-border legal services for multi-jurisdictional enforcement. It represents a shift toward collaborative practice models that allow independent firms to increase their geographical scope without full consolidation.
Operators dealing with cross-border disputes should review their current legal counsel's reach in relevant jurisdictions like India and the UAE. Monitoring how such partnerships impact billing transparency and service coordination is recommended as firms shift toward integrated legal support models.
The takeaway
Firms are increasingly using strategic alliances to bridge gaps in multi-jurisdictional legal expertise without the cost of full mergers. Businesses should track if their current legal partners are formalizing similar cross-border agreements to ensure continued coverage in global disputes.
Further reading
For more on the operational shifts in international professional services, visit the Business Strategy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news.
