General Counsel Play Vital Role in Overall Business Decision Making

In-House Counsel

General Counsel Play Vital Role in Overall Business Decision Making

Lex Witness Bureau | July 2022

THE PROFESSIONAL YOU

Briefly, tell us about your role in the organization and the mandates you handle?

I am part of the leadership team at Tata 1mg and head the legal vertical. In the legal vertical, I take care of following areas:

Corporate governance;
Corporate Legal Advisory;
Regulatory;
Litigations;
IPR management; and
Various strategic alliances.

I work in legal and business role together, to draw balance in the interest of the organisation

Tell us something about your journey so far as a general counsel in india?

My journey has been a wonderful loaded with lot learning experiences from subject matter knowledge to skill set building. I started an associate from a law firm wherein I handled multiple venture capital transactions for various fund houses along with retainerships. Post law firm, I joined Big 4, wherein I was part of M&A (tax team) and worked on various projects like mergers, demerger, FEMA advisory etc.

From leaving Big 4 till date, I am part of Tata 1mg and heading the legal team and managing all legal & regulatory aspects of the organisation.

Do you feel that the role of general counsels is evolving in today’s business scenario? And if so, how?

Yes, GCs role is evolving in today’s business scenario. The role is not only limited to legal advise, compliance management and documents, GCs play vital role on all business decision making.

The organisation growth is dependent on the legal team also, they are not just backend support functions now, they are integral part of the organisation. I am case, I am part of the leadership team of TATA 1mg and I am assignment role as other leaders in the team.

What are the key challenges that general counsels have to deal with on a regular basis, irrespective of the industry sector?

Setting the right expectations with business owners in the organisation;
In initial days, visibility of the work done by the legal team;
Decision making in certain critical situation, wherein the decision is between the business growth, legal exposure and organisation risk appetite.

What are your thoughts on improving synergies between law firms and corporate inhouse legal teams?

Only thoughts: More frequent interactions wherein they understand the real requirement from the company aspect and advisory can be more customised and solution oriented.

Law firms can provide more compliant out of box solutions to the in-house teams in many more scenarios.

What are some of the key tools that general counsels can use for continued learning education (cle)?

Part of legal groups and active in circles;
Reading more and more… legal magazines, online subscriptions etc
Attending talk shows, seminars etc.

Any advice for someone exploring a legal career as an in-house counsel?

I love this career option. This is the best career option for anyone who loves to face daily new problem statement and feels excited about solving them.

THE CASUAL YOU

Favorite Gadget – Air pods
Favorite App – Paytm, all about convenience
Favorite Automobile Brand – Volvo
Favorite Writing Instrument – Pencil
Favorite Holiday Destination – Dubai
Favorite Cuisine – North Indian

About Lex Witness

Lex Witness Bureau

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