The penalties sought by the authorities may be more than the revenue or the market capitalisation of the startups. Additionally, in the event of an adverse decision, startups are required to deposit 20 percent of the total tax demand before an appeal can be admitted,” said Rashmi Deshpande, founder of Fountainhead Legal.
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At Fountainhead Legal, we understand that conversations about end-of-life care are deeply personal and often difficult. A Living Will or Advance Medical Directive allows you to express your healthcare choices in advance, giving you peace of mind that your wishes will be respected even if you are unable to communicate them later. By putting your preferences in writing, you also spare your loved ones from the emotional burden of making tough decisions in moments of crisis.
Our team works closely with you to make the process simple and reassuring. We help you draft and formalize your Living Will, guide you through the legal requirements, and ensure that your directive can be safely stored and accessed when needed. We also support families, hospitals, and custodians in understanding their roles, so that your voice is heard clearly and compassionately at every step.
For a confidential consultation on creating your Living Will, you may reach out to Rashmi Deshpande at rashmi@fountainheadlegal.com or Dr. G. U. Deshpande at gudeshpande3@gmail.com.
Fountainhead Legal has a robust litigation management practice, representing clients before the Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), civilcourts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court of India. The firm specializes in devising litigation strategies, managing legal proceedings, and engaging the right legal counsel, including advocates and senior advocates, to ensure effective representation.
The firm plays a critical role in end-to-end litigation management, overseeing case strategy, drafting, filings, and court proceedings, while collaborating with leading litigators to drive favorable outcomes for its clients. Its expertise spans complex disputes in indirect taxation, regulatory compliance, corporate and commercial litigation, and constitutional matters.
Fountainhead Legal also has extensive experience in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), handling institutional and ad-hoc arbitrations. Whether dealing with contractual disputes, shareholder conflicts, or cross-border transactions, the firm strategically manages arbitration proceedings, ensuring efficiency and business continuity.
The firm has a strong focus on technology law and data privacy, offering end-to-end legal support under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and its allied Rules, the data privacy regulations including GDPR. It advises clients on a wide range of issues, including data lifecycle management, intermediary liability, cross-border data flows, cybersecurity obligations, and compliance with sector-specific data protection requirements.
Building on this foundation, the firm assists clients in developing and implementing robust internal policies and frameworks that ensure compliance with the IT Act, its Rules (including the SPDI and CERT-In Directions), and leading global data privacy regulations. This includes conducting detailed assessments of data collection, processing, storage, and retention practices; drafting privacy policies, consent frameworks, and vendor agreements; and establishing internal protocols for incident response, breach notification, and data subject rights. The firm also provides tailored training to personnel to embed a culture of compliance and accountability.
The firm has a strong track record in representing clients in litigation and regulatory proceedings arising under the IT regulations. Its experience includes responding to take down notices, handling intermediary liability claims, assisting in proceedings involving cybercrimes, and advising on compliance with CERT-In investigations and reporting obligations.
Fountainhead Legal understands the importance of protecting the interests of families and their assets and has established practice in creating will or trust, navigating complex inheritance issues, and planning a family’s future and assets. Our expert team has extensive experience advising clients on various family law issues, including succession planning, wills, and trusts.
In India, the succession, wills, and trusts laws are complex and ever-evolving. Our team stays abreast of the latest developments and applies its extensive knowledge to provide customized solutions to meet each client’s needs.
We aim to provide comprehensive and effective legal solutions to help families protect their interests and assets, cooperate closely with our clients, recognize their goals and concerns, and provide advice tailored to their needs.
Whether you are facing a complex legal challenge or seeking advice on the best way to secure the future of your family and assets, Fountainhead Legal has the expertise and experience to help you achieve your goals.
Fountainhead Legal has a dedicated focus on startup advisory, providing legal and compliance support to startups in India at critical stages of their journey. The firm works closely with founders to address startup-specific legal issues, advising on incorporation, governance, regulatory compliance, and essential commercial arrangements as businesses move from inception to growth.
At the nascent stage, Fountainhead Legal advises startups and emerging businesses on legal and regulatory requirements tailored to their business model, structure, and operational needs. This includes guidance on appropriate structuring, foundational tax and statutory registrations, contracts, and operational legal requirements, ensuring compliance is aligned with the nature and scale of the business.
Where a startup’s structure and operations meet the eligibility criteria for recognition under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (“DPIIT”) framework, the firm assists founders with applications, registration, and related documentation, enabling them to avail the benefits associated with DPIIT recognition. In parallel, as funding requirements arise, the firm provides legal support in connection with fundraising, including assistance with relevant investment and financing agreements.
Fountainhead Legal also provides support on Intellectual Property Rights (“IPR”) registrations and commercial agreements commonly required in the course of business. This includes advisory on ownership structuring assisting founders in clearly defining who owns and controls intellectual property as well as assistance with drafting and reviewing different types of IPR-related agreements relevant to the startup’s operations and growth.
As data handling becomes integral to business operations, the firm also advises startups at various stages on DPDP-related obligations and agreements. Fountainhead Legal supports startups in understanding privacy requirements and embedding privacy-by-design practices that enable compliant and scalable operations.
Fountainhead Legal’s General Corporate practice offers comprehensive legal support across a broad spectrum of complex corporate matters. The firm assists clients at every stage of their business journey—from establishment and structuring to the management of day-to-day operations and corporate governance.
Its services include drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, facilitating startup funding, structuring international corporate entities, and providing expert legal opinions on critical business issues. The firm also advises on key corporate transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, helping clients achieve their business objectives while effectively navigating the complexities of high-stakes deals.
With deep expertise in the Indian legal and regulatory landscape, Fountainhead Legal works closely with clients to ensure full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Whether addressing regulatory challenges, corporate governance matters, or commercial transactions, the firm delivers practical, business-oriented legal solutions that enable clients to operate efficiently while mitigating legal risks.
Fountainhead Legal’s Indirect Tax Law practice covers a wide range of indirect tax matters, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), Customs Duty, and other key regulatory frameworks.
The firm offers extensive expertise in tax planning, compliance, transaction structuring, minimization of tax liabilities, anti-dumping matters, international trade regulations, treaties, sanctions, and dispute resolution in the field of indirect taxation. The team remains abreast of evolving legal developments and adopts a problem-solving approach to deliver effective and commercially sound solutions.
In addition to advisory services, the practice includes filing writ petitions before High Courts and representing clients in securing benefits under Indirect Tax, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, and the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP). The firm provides end-to-end litigation management, representing clients before all relevant forums, including Tribunals, High Courts, and the Supreme Court.
By combining legal acumen with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, Fountainhead Legal enables clients to achieve their business objectives while maintaining full legal compliance—making it a preferred choice for indirect tax matters.
