Summary: A Davis Polk partner was killed on June 5 after being struck by a train.
On Monday morning, a Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP partner was tragically killed by a train near Menlo Park. San Mateo County authorities said that an investigation is pending.
Kirtee Kapoor, 46, was the head of Davis Polk’s India practice, and he had earned an LL.B. from the University of Delhi Faculty of Law, a B.C.L. from Balliol College, University of Oxford, and earned an L.L.M. at New York University School of Law.
“Kirtee joined Davis Polk’s New York office as an associate in 1999, and over the next 18 years spent time in several of our offices advising clients on significant M&A matters and in investments and other transactions around the world. He was elected to the partnership in 2007 and moved to Hong Kong later that year. In 2015, he joined our Northern California office,” Davis Polk said in a statement.
Palo Alto Online said that Kapoor had been struck by a Caltrain at the Watkins Avenue crossing in Atherton.
Bangalore-born Kapoor had been called an inspiration to “Indian lawyers who went abroad,” according to Legally India. The site said that he was a role model to Indian-trained attorneys because he had risen to partner at a top international law firm.
“Kirtee was a truly wonderful man,” Davis Polk said. “His optimism, warmth, honesty and wisdom were inspiring. He will be remembered as a great partner of the firm, a beloved colleague and adviser, and a steadfast friend to so many.”
Legally India spoke to Kapoor’s friend, Latham & Watkins partner Rajiv Gupta, who said Kapoor would be missed.
“The news has come as a completely shock and disbelief. Kirtee was a dear friend and a wonderful person in addition to being an excellent lawyer,” Gupta said. “It is a big loss for the legal community. He will be dearly missed…”
Allen & Overy Hong Kong-based India capital markets head Amit Singh also spoke with Legally India.
“Kirtee and I were together in the same college in England in the mid-nineties and then worked for several years in the same firm. I remember Kirtee as an extremely intelligent and optimistic man. A self-made man and an inspiration to future generations of Indian lawyers, his presence will be sorely missed,” Singh said.
Kapoor is survived by a wife and daughter, who reside in Menlo Park. His colleagues and friends expressed their sympathies to his family.
“We will miss Kirtee tremendously,” Davis Polk said. “Our deepest sympathies go to his wife and daughter, and we extend our most heartfelt condolences to all of his family, colleagues, friends and clients.”
Photo courtesy of Legally India