The Legal Lens: Episode 5
Title: The Legal Blueprint Of A Deal: How Law Firms Power M&A Success
- Guest: Savitha Kesav Jagadeesan, Senior Resident Partner – Kochhar & Co
- Host: Dr. Himanshu Puri, Co-Founder, Legitquest
Today we have with us Savitha Kesav Jagadeesan, Senior Resident Partner at Kochhar & Co.. She brings decades of experience across corporate law, intellectual property, employment law, and high-value merger transactions.
With her rich expertise in mergers, compliance, and deal structuring, Savitha is perfectly placed to guide us through the legal blueprint behind successful mergers and what goes on behind the scenes, what legal professionals look out for, and how firms help protect deal value in complex transactions.
Title: The Legal Blueprint Of A Deal: How Law Firms Power M&A Success
What You’ll Hear Inside This Episode
1. Introduction
We begin with a brief introduction to Legitquest and The Legal Lens. Savitha shares an overview of her professional journey and her experience working on large-scale corporate transactions.
2. The Lawyer’s Journey in M&A
Savitha walks us through her journey in corporate law and deal advisory, highlighting how her role has evolved alongside increasingly complex and fast-paced transactions.
3. Understanding Legal Due Diligence
We break down legal due diligence (LDD) in simple terms, what it means, why it exists, and how it safeguards buyers, investors, and stakeholders.
4. When Legal Due Diligence Begins
This segment explores the stage at which LDD typically starts in a transaction and why early intervention by lawyers can make or break a deal.
5. The Scope of Due Diligence
We discuss due diligence as a broad umbrella, financial, technical, operational and clearly define where legal due diligence fits within this framework.
6. The LDD Workflow
Savitha explains the step-by-step LDD process, from reviewing the first document in the data room to submitting final findings and risk summaries.
7. Key Areas of Review
We dive into critical LDD focus areas such as corporate records, regulatory compliance, contracts, licences, and litigation and how lawyers prioritise them under tight timelines.
8. Litigation Checks: A Deep Dive
This segment focuses on litigation due diligence, how checks are conducted, and which red flags can significantly impact valuation, negotiations, or even deal viability.
9. Challenges in Legal Due Diligence
Savitha discusses real-world challenges including incomplete disclosures, missing documentation, and poorly maintained data rooms and how experienced lawyers navigate them.
10. Technology in LDD
We explore the role of legal-tech tools, databases, and platforms in speeding up due diligence, while also discussing their limitations.
11. AI: Support Tool or Decision Maker?
A candid discussion on AI-powered tools for contract review and litigation tracking, what can be automated, and where human legal judgment remains critical.
12. After the LDD Report
We examine what happens once the due diligence report is submitted and how findings influence deal structuring, indemnities, negotiations, and final closures.
13. Advice for Lawyers & Companies
Savitha shares practical advice for companies and young lawyers on conducting smarter, more efficient legal due diligence in high-pressure deal environments.
14. Closing Note
The host wraps up the episode, summarising key insights and thanking Savitha for sharing her experience and expertise.
Key Takeaways
-
Legal due diligence is not a checklist exercise, it is a strategic tool that protects deal value
Early and well-structured LDD can prevent post-transaction surprises and disputes
Litigation risks play a decisive role in deal negotiations and valuations
Technology and AI enhance efficiency, but human legal judgment remains irreplaceable
Successful M&A outcomes rely on the seamless collaboration of legal expertise, data, and timing
