News

Kegler Brown is pleased to announce that Vinita Bahri‑Mehra, leader of the firm’s Global Business and Global Education practice areas, has been named to the India Business Law Journal’s International A‑List 2026. In addition, her work was recognized on the publication’s prestigious Deals of the Year list, further underscoring her leadership in complex, precedent‑setting India‑related matters.

Along with being featured for the third consecutive year, Vinita is also the only attorney based in the Midwest to be recognized on the 2026 A‑List, underscoring her national and international standing as a trusted advisor for cross‑border India matters. This honor reflects her depth of experience advising clients on complex regulatory, compliance, and operational issues involving India and the United States.

The International A‑List highlights approximately 150 lawyers worldwide who demonstrate exceptional India‑related legal expertise, commercial judgment, and a nuanced understanding of Indian clients and counterparties. Vinita’s inclusion once again reflects her ability to pair deep knowledge of India’s evolving legal landscape with practical, business‑focused solutions and effective, pragmatic negotiation strategies.

India Business Law Journal also recognized Vinita’s role in one of its 2025 Deals of the Year: advising Illinois Institute of Technology on the establishment of a new degree‑granting campus in Mumbai. Approved by India’s University Grants Commission, the project marks a historic milestone, as Illinois Tech will become the first American university authorized to open a campus in India. The new campus is scheduled to welcome students in Fall of 2026 and will offer U.S.‑accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in high‑demand fields including computer science, engineering, and business.

The Deal of the Year recognition – the only deal included on the list from a U.S.-based firm – highlights Vinita’s leadership in cross-border education initiatives and her work guiding U.S. educational institutions through international expansion. Her practice regularly involves advising university leadership and in‑house counsel on regulatory strategy, market entry, institutional collaborations, and long‑term development initiatives in India and beyond.

The International A‑List is compiled through extensive research and is informed by the collective views of private‑practice lawyers in India and in‑house counsel around the world. The final list reflects hundreds of nominations and testimonials from professionals across Indian and multinational companies, combined with independent analysis by the publication’s editorial team.

About India Business Law Journal

India Business Law Journal is a market‑leading monthly publication delivering expert analysis of the legal and regulatory issues shaping domestic and international business in India. Published by Vantage Asia, an independent Hong Kong–based business‑to‑business publisher that also produces Asia Business Law Journal and China Business Law Journal, the publication has served the global legal community since 2006. Its website, vantageasia.com, is a leading digital resource for in‑house counsel, law firm practitioners, and business professionals with interests across the Asia‑Pacific region.

About Kegler Brown’s India Practice

Led by Vinita Bahri‑Mehra, Kegler Brown’s India practice advises U.S. and international clients on business operations and investments in India, while also guiding Indian companies expanding into the United States. With a strong focus on cross‑border collaboration and regulatory strategy, the firm supports clients navigating the legal, cultural, and commercial complexities of one of the world’s most dynamic markets.