Veteran lawyer Vijay Sondhi, Senior Partner, L&L Partners has passed away. He suffered a heart attack on Friday afternoon. A loved and elderly figure to many lawyers in the profession, Vijay Sondhi was also an elected member of the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD).

Soon, after his sudden demise, tributes started flowing in for the ace litigating lawyer.

Remembering his first senior in the legal profession, Independent Counsel Bharat Chugh says 

The way he cared and listened; how important he made you feel, like you ‘mattered’.

Summing up the large hearted stature of the great man, Bharat tells us,

He was someone who’d credit us for what were HIS victories, and take the hit himself for OUR faults. The biggest pair of shoulders I’ve ever seen on a man. “Bharat, go ahead and do well; but if you mess up and the client is unhappy, tell him Mr.Sondhi told me to argue this way and take this point; put it on me, I’ll handle!” 

That’s what my senior and my elder brother Vijay Kumar Sondhi told me - on one of my first matters as a lawyer, at the Firm. And when he said it, I knew it in my bones that he wasn’t just saying it, he meant every syllable of it. 

THAT was the style of the man says Bharat.

Another colleague and mentee, Vaibhav Kakkar, Partner, Saraf and Partners remembers Sondhi as true lawyer's lawyer. Shocked to hear about this sudden loss and saddened by untimely demise Vaibhav says,

Mr. Sondhi was a generous soul who went out of his way to help one and all. He was a guide and a big brother to many a fledgling lawyer. He would constantly keep encouraging us to keep at it. A true lawyer's lawyer - he truly embodied for all of us, the word 'mentor'. No matter what the circumstances were, he would brighten the day with his unmistakable warmth and his signature enthusiasm. My heart goes out to his family. May his soul find peace and may his family find strength in this difficult time. We, the legal community are diminished by this great loss and shall dearly miss him. Thank you Sir for everything. We are all the better for having had the opportunity to know you.

For Anshul Sehgal who joined L&L Partners back in 2013 as an intern, Sondhi Sir was that strict boss you can walk and party with. He fondly remembers it was Sondhi who broke the news of his appointment as an associate at L&L Partners. irrespective of any argument, the senior pro was always just a call away.

Shocked beyond belief, Anshul says he will never forget the words of his master.

"no one is irreplaceable"

It was 'Vijay Sir's' way of telling his juniors that you have to swim on your own when thrown at the deep end.

Senior IP lawyer Ameet Datta took to Twitter to express his deep shock on the passing away of Sondhi.

Absolutely shattered to hear that Vijay Sondhi Senior Partner at L&L Partners passed away earlier today. Amazing guy, VS was a sweetheart to the core. Will miss his “oye rajje” calls out of the blue. Rest in Peace Vijay sir. 

Corporate litigator Ruby Singh Ahuja also shared her grief on the passing away of a good friend.

Vijay Sondhi. Fellow lawyer good friend and very helpful for one and all.  Gone too soon . Travel well Vijay, she said.

Echoing the shared sentiment, corporate lawyer and public policy Advocate Hemant Batra took to the microblogging website to remember his friend and colleague. 

Everything seems numb. Totally shattered, heartbroken by untimely, sudden, shocking demise of a colleague, friend like brother-Vijay K Sondhi. Vijay...rest in peace. God needs kind human beings by his side. He chose you to be an Angel. Preeti & I will miss u. Love you bro.

A lawyer par excellence Vijay Sondhi was looked up with great admiration by one and all and has surely left behind a distinct legacy grounded in love, kindness and his signature enthusiasm.