Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Announces New India Leadership Team to Steer Global Growth Strategy
The prominent global law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has announced a new leadership team for its India practice, effective 1 May 2026, marking a significant transition in the firm’s strategic focus on the region.
Partner Alan Montgomery, who previously served as Co-Head of the India practice, has been appointed Chair. Partners Siddhartha Shukla and Dhananjaya Chak have been appointed as Co-Heads of the practice. Collectively, they succeed former Chair Chris Parsons, who has retired, and former Co-Head Roddy Martin, who will continue to remain part of the India practice.
Alan Montgomery is a leading international M&A practitioner with 30 years of experience and has played a key role in building the firm’s India practice over the last two decades. Siddhartha Shukla is part of the firm’s global M&A practice and is the first lawyer from its India internship programme to rise to partnership and now leadership. Dhananjaya Chak is a Partner in the Finance practice with deep experience in energy transition, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors, with a strong India focus.
Jeremy Walden, Executive Partner for UK and EMEA, said,
“Our new leadership team is perfectly positioned to deliver on the next phase of growth in our market-leading India practice.
“We owe Chris Parsons and Roddy Martin sincere thanks for their outstanding leadership and contribution to our India practice over many years. We wish Chris the very best in his retirement from the firm and are delighted that Roddy will continue to be a part of the practice through his client work.”
The newly appointed leadership team also shared their vision for the practice, highlighting continued collaboration with clients and a focus on building on the firm’s three-decade legacy in India-related work. Alan Montgomery said he is “very proud” to lead the team, while Dhananjaya Chak emphasised growth across energy transition, natural resources and infrastructure. Siddhartha Shukla reflected on his journey from the firm’s India internship programme to leadership, calling it a “proud milestone” and underscoring gratitude towards clients and mentors.
The new leadership structure marks a significant milestone for Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer as it strengthens its India practice under a refreshed leadership trio. With deep sectoral expertise across M&A, finance, and infrastructure, the team is well positioned to drive the next phase of growth in one of the firm’s most important global markets. Their combined experience and long-standing client relationships are expected to further reinforce the firm’s standing as a leading advisor on complex, cross-border India-related mandates.
Alan Montgomery
Alan Montgomery is a Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, where he has been based in London since 1996 and has built nearly three decades of experience in international M&A. He has played a key role in developing and shaping the firm’s India practice over the last 20 years, advising on complex cross-border corporate transactions and global M&A mandates.
He holds a CPE & LPC in Law from BPP Law School (1994–1996), studied Arabic at Durham University (1990–1994), and attended Wellington College, forming a strong academic foundation that supports his long-standing corporate practice.
On his appointment as Alan Montgomery, Chair, he said,
“Very proud to be leading our top tier team together with Siddhartha Shukla and Dhananjaya Chak.”
Siddhartha Shukla
Siddhartha Shukla is a Partner in the global M&A practice at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, specialising in cross-border M&A and private capital transactions. He joined the firm in 2010 as a Graduate Solicitor from India and progressed through Associate and Senior Associate roles before becoming Partner in 2022.
He has advised on high-profile global and India-focused transactions and is the first lawyer from the firm’s India internship programme to rise to partnership and leadership. He holds a B.B.A., LL.B. (Hons. in Corporate Laws) from National Law University Jodhpur, where he built a strong foundation in corporate law and dispute-related commercial frameworks.
On his appointment as Co-Head, Siddhartha Shukla said,
“15 years ago when I joined HSFK as a young graduate from India, I would not have imagined that one day I would be heading our top tier India practice. That day has arrived! Becoming the first partner in the firm from our India internship programme, and being part of our pre-eminent Global M&A practice, I have had the pleasure of working with clients globally and on the India front on some of their most important deals. Standing on shoulders of many stalwarts, I feel indebted to our clients and my partners and mentors for their faith. And it is real pleasure to be leading this team with my friends and partners, Alan Montgomery and Dhananjaya Chak Onwards and upwards!”
Dhananjaya Chak
Dhananjaya Chak is a Partner and Head of the India Finance Practice at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, specialising in energy transition, infrastructure, and complex financing transactions. He has extensive experience advising on global infrastructure and energy projects and previously served as Senior Associate and Associate at the firm, along with earlier experience at Allen & Overy in London.
He holds a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from National Academy of Legal Studies and Research Hyderabad, where he developed a strong grounding in law, policy, and commercial practice, which supports his cross-border finance expertise.
He is also Co-Founder and Host of The Edges & Sledges Cricket Podcast, reflecting his wider engagement beyond legal practice.
On his appointment as Co-Head,Dhananjaya Chak said,
“I am delighted to share that I have been appointed as Co-Head of HSF Kramer’s India practice, alongside my friend and partner Siddhartha Shukla, with Alan Montgomery stepping into the role of Chair. In doing so, we stand on the shoulders of giants – Chris Parsons and Roddy Martin- whose leadership and vision have made our India practice what it is today. Alan, Sid and I are energised by what lies ahead and we look forward driving the next phase of growth of our India practice, particularly across the sectors I am most passionate about: energy transition, natural resources and infrastructure. To our clients, colleagues and friends – thank you for your continued trust and support. The best is yet to come!”
The new leadership structure marks a significant milestone for Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer as it strengthens its India practice under a refreshed leadership trio of Alan Montgomery, Siddhartha Shukla, and Dhananjaya Chak. With deep sectoral expertise across M&A, finance, and infrastructure, the team is well positioned to drive the next phase of growth in one of the firm’s most important global markets. Their combined experience and long-standing client relationships are expected to further reinforce the firm’s standing as a leading advisor on complex, cross-border India-related mandates.
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