Algo Legal, an Indian law firm currently embroiled in a defamation suit against some of the country’s biggest media names, has lost 35 lawyers, including four partners, to Argus Partners across its Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru offices.

The former Algo partners joining Argus with their teams are Abhinav Bhalaik (L) and Armaan Patkar (Mumbai), Ankit Guha (Bengaluru), and Neha Madan (Delhi). Their practice areas cover corporate/M&A, private equity and venture capital, and securities law.

Bhalaik and Guha will become equity partners at Argus, which now has 23 partners in total. The firm recently hired disputes partner Bhavya Mohan in Bengaluru.

Algo Legal recently filed a suit against media organisations such as the Hindustan Times, the Times of India and News 18, and former client Sequoia Capital, in a Bengaluru court. The defamation suit relates to news reports stating that Sequoia had cut ties with Algo, even reportedly publishing a letter cautioning portfolio companies against working with the firm or its related entities.

According to the Mint newspaper, this allegedly related to the behaviour of Sandeep Kapoor, founder of Algo and a former GC of Sequoia, who is believed to have “solicited business in an aggressive manner.”