9th March 2009 (Mumbai): Representatives from some of India’s best known law firms and investment banks played a cricket match at Parsee Gymkhana, Mumbai on Sunday, March 8, 2009. Mumbai terrorist attack survivor Jamie Benson of Dorsey & Whitney, an international law firm, organised the match to raise money for families of the victims.

Jamie Benson, a US Corporate lawyer with Dorsey & Whitney, was in his room at the Trident Hotel on 26 November 2008 when a call informed him that the hotel was experiencing an emergency. It was the beginning of a 38-hour ordeal that would see him captive in the hotel as gunfight and grenades exploded around him.

“I was very grateful to be rescued alive,” says Benson, who has visited Mumbai over 10 times for business, “but also aware that many good people were not as fortunate as myself.”

In an effort to raise funds for the families of the 10 staffs of the Trident and Oberoi hotels killed in the attack he experienced first-hand, he invited representatives from Indian investment banks and corporate law firms to a social cricket match, which was sponsored by his firm Dorsey & Whitney. The match raised more than Rs. 100,000 for the victims. “Our firm is a strong supporter of India and the Indian people, and we hope that the money raised will help needy families.” says John Chrisman, Head of Dorsey’s India practice.

Representatives from Citibank Global Markets India Private Limited, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Enam Securities, JM Financial, Morgan Stanley, Edelweiss and ICICI Securities played in the Bankers’ team. The Bankers’ team was captained by Sachin Wagle of Morgan Stanley, who was also holed up in the Trident hotel during the terrorist attacks. Lawyers from Dorsey & Whitney, Amarchand Mangaldas, S&R Associates, Luthra & Luthra, Khaitain & Co. and Fox Mandal Little played in the Lawyers’ team.

“The recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan gave Sunday’s match a special significance” Benson observed “and was a great opportunity to remember how the game of cricket brings people together.”

The Bankers batted first and scored a respectable from 158 all out in 23 overs out of a maximum 25 overs. Wagle led the way for the Bankers with a captain’s knock of 30, including a towering 6 of the bowling of Benson, the Lawyers’ captain. Benson had his revenge though taking out Wagle’s middle stump with his next ball. Manish Sharma of Fox Mandal Little was the pick of the bowlers for the Lawyers, picking up three wickets. The Lawyers had little trouble passing the Bankers total, losing only two wickets and with eight overs in hand. Arjun Lall of Amarchand Mangaldas won the man of the match award for his classy 42 runs not out for the Lawyers. Benson chimed in with a quick fire 32 not out, including a huge 6 of the bowling of Wagle – so honours were even between the two captains.

The Bankers vs. Lawyers Capital Markets Cup was a fun and social event that “celebrated the enduring spirit and resilience of this great city” says Benson.

The Capital Markets Cup was presented to Benson by Devendra Bharma, Executive Vice President, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts.

Jamie Benson is an Australian born, Cambridge educated, US corporate lawyer currently working in Dorsey's London and Sydney offices. Mr Benson is one of the more experienced US capital markets lawyers in India. More information on Mr Benson is available on Dorsey’s web site:

John Chrisman is head of Dorsey & Whitney’s India practice and the Sydney office. He has worked on more than 150 transactions in India since 1992. John is a US corporate partner of Dorsey with more than 20 years’ experience. More information on Mr Chrisman is available on Dorsey’s web site:

For More Details, Contact:
Jamie Benson on +44 772 57 57 102, Johanna O’Shea on + 44 777 826 5072 or
John Chrisman on +61 466 385 197.

The match was covered by Indian media and reports are available here and here.