Welcome to the first edition of the Jenner & Block India Newsletter, a publication containing updates that would be noteworthy to our clients and other leaders in the India legal and business communities.
Here are a few recent highlights featuring members of our India Practice:
Jenner Represents Harvard in Actions Against the Trump Administration Over International Enrollment Block
Jenner & Block is representing Harvard University in legal action against the Trump administration over an international enrollment block. On May 23, 2025, Harvard filed a lawsuit and sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the Department of Homeland Security from revoking its certification to enroll international students.
Key Member of India Practice Appointed as Firm-Wide Co-Managing Partner
One of the key leaders of the India Practice, Ishan Bhabha, is the firm’s newly elected Co-Managing Partner. Ishan is a first-chair litigator with extensive experience in both trial and appellate courts.
Regarded as one of the nation's preeminent lawyers for large corporations facing complex legal, ethical, and reputational issues, Ishan has argued cases in numerous state and federal courts, and has also appeared before the US Supreme Court. Ishan is known as a trusted advisor who is able to anticipate major economic, political, and technological trends and prepare clients for the legal and regulatory risks that may ensue. Before joining Jenner & Block, he served as an appellate lawyer at the US Department of Justice. He also clerked for then-Judge Merrick Garland on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit and Justice Anthony Kennedy on the US Supreme Court. Ishan graduated, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
Ishan is one of the very few Indian origin attorneys who have been elevated to the global managing partner role at a large law firm in the US.
Ishan’s grandfather, Kharshedji Bhabha, was a noted lawyer in the Bombay High Court and Fali Nariman was his first junior in his old chamber.
Ishan Bhabha Was Recently Quoted in The New York Times
Ishan Bhabha recently provided The New York Times with insight on the backlash facing corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
Wade Thomson Was Recognized as a Notable Litigator and Trial Attorney by Crain’s Chicago Business
Wade Thomson, who co-leads the India Practice, was recently recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’s 2025 Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys. The award honors “attorneys shaping Chicago’s legal landscape.” Wade recently led a team that secured an exceedingly rare vacatur of an international arbitration award against Meleveetil Damodaran, the former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
India Practice Group Members Spoke at the ICC India Arbitration Group’s Event in New Delhi
Wade Thomson, Ken Beale, James Rogers, and Ashutosh Ray spoke at the ICC India Arbitration Group’s In-House Counsel Group’s closed-door panel discussion in New Delhi on “Navigating American Legal Complexities”. They addressed a number of questions from in-house counsel relating to several recent developments in the US that Indian companies could be grappling with.
Ken Beale and Ashutosh Ray Spoke at MCIA’s Annual Conference
Ken Beale and Ashutosh Ray spoke at the 4th MCIA International Arbitration Conference on May 1, 2025 in Ahmedabad on 'Saving costs through careful drafting of an arbitration clause - Reality or a Myth'.
Ken Beale and Ashutosh Ray Taught at MCIA’s Trial Advocacy and Damages Assessment Workshop
Ken Beale and Ashutosh Ray were invited as faculty for MCIA’s Trial Advocacy and Damages Assessment Workshop on April 21-22, 2025. The workshop was attended by attorneys from prestigious Indian law firms. The participants benefited from learning-by-doing approach where each one of them received personalised feedback.
Jenner Hosts Indian Firms During the IPBA Conference in Chicago
Numerous Indian attorneys from India traveled to Chicago for IPBA’s 33rd Annual Meeting and Conference, held April 23-26, 2025. Jenner & Block hosted a cocktail reception following the IPBA Gala Dinner and also conducted several one-on-one meetings in our offices with some of India’s top law firms.
Shoba Pillay Spoke at the Consulate General of India in Chicago
Partner Shoba Pillay recently participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by The Consulate General of India in Chicago, in collaboration with the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). The event – “Understanding Recent Legal Changes in India: Implications and Opportunities for Foreign Partners” – held on April 25, 2025, brought together business leaders, and top corporate law firms both from India and USA, examine India’s evolving regulatory landscape and its impact on cross-border partnerships.
Ken Beale Appointed as Presiding Arbitrator in Indian Arbitrations
Ken Beale was recently appointed as a presiding arbitrator in two India seated institutional commercial arbitrations. With a long history of working on India related matters, Ken is excited to contribute to building a thriving arbitration ecosystem in India and helping India emerge as a serious player as preferred seat for international arbitrations.
Ashutosh Ray as HK45 Regional Ambassador for London
Ashutosh Ray was appointed by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre as its HK45 Regional Ambassador for London. In an effort to raise awareness among the users, HKIAC appoints arbitration experts as its regional ambassadors. Ashutosh joins regional ambassadors from several jurisdiction in HKIACs effort to make arbitration as a popular choice of dispute resolution.
Chicago Bar Association Names Jenner & Block Law Firm of the Year
Jenner & Block has been named Law Firm of the Year by the Chicago Bar Association. This recognition speaks to this firm's deep commitment to our clients, our profession, and our community.
Here are a few recent legal updates from US and UK of relevance to Indian clients:
Tariffs Cancelled By Courts—Or Are They?
This week, two federal courts invalidated President Trump’s sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). While the U.S. Court of International Trade issued a nationwide injunction and ordered refunds, and a D.C. district court halted enforcement against specific plaintiffs, both rulings are now on hold pending appeal. For now, the tariffs remain in effect, but these landmark decisions could reshape how and when the executive branch can impose trade restrictions. We outline the implications of the decisions and the potential impact on businesses here.
English High Court Confirms That India’s Ratification of the New York Convention Was Not a Waiver of Its Sovereign Immunity
As published by members of Jenner’s India Practice, Wade Thomson, Kenneth Beale, James Rogers, and Ashutosh Ray, the English courts take a robust approach to the enforcement of arbitral awards and remain an important enforcement jurisdiction particularly in cases involving states and state entities. However, a recent case challenging the UK State Immunity Act 1978 confirmed that India did not waive its right to claim state immunity to enforcement by having ratified the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. For further insight on the background to this case, the court's decision, and key takeaways, read more here.
Jenner & Block Tariff Task Force
Jenner & Block’s Tariff Task Force brings together a multi-disciplinary team to help clients navigate this uncertain landscape. Recognized as a litigation powerhouse, we provide best-in-class litigation capabilities to challenge the legality of the tariffs, navigate contractual disputes related to supply chain issues, defend government investigations into alleged non-compliance, and provide guidance on compliance with varying regulatory requirements between countries. We also provide counseling and strategic advice on how to manage existing and future business relationships affected by the tariffs. We have been providing briefings to Indian clients and lawyers and are happy to do more. Learn more here.
Evaluating the Impact of Tariffs on Customer and Supplier Relationships
As tariffs continue to be a looming topic, there is much for companies to consider with how the parameters of tariffs could potentially impact customer and supplier relationships. For suggested guidance on how companies could examine existing contract provisions, and navigating the future of these relationships with the potential tariff implications, read more here.
The Trump Administration Calls for a Pause on New FCPA Enforcement but Don’t Abandon Compliance Programs Just Yet
A recently issued executive order imposes a 180-day pause on new Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement activity, subject to attorney general exceptions. The order comes on the heels of a memo directing new enforcement priorities for FCPA cases involving cartels and transnational criminal organizations. While the order and memo could turn a new leaf for FCPA enforcement, companies should not precipitously relax their FCPA compliance efforts. For further insight on the Executive Order and the Cartel Memo and important considerations for companies across industries, read more here.