Currently in addition to my role as General Counsel for the Region & India, I also head up the Public Affairs for India. The Region covers Africa, India and Middle East. It’s an interesting mix of jurisdictions and the development of the legal system, particularly in parts of Africa, is fascinating to study. India, as we all know can be very challenging.
The Public Affairs portfolio ensures that business strategic thinking enmeshed with legal principals is the foundation of all actions & transactions. Interfacing with multiple institutions, governments, authorities is an ongoing educational experience.
The General Counsel’s role for me began with taking charge of India and Australia, while being based in Singapore. This initial multi-jurisdictional experience allowed me to develop a vision which went beyond the immediate.
After returning to India, I was responsible for helping set up a Billiondollar greenfield project, which was the first foray into the world of manufacturing for my Company, in India. I set up the Legal department with all its incumbent associations, established the compliance structure, was key responsible for managing the Risks associated with such a project. At the same time, the Global systems needed to be established along with a strong set of ethics. In the following years, I helped established the company’s presence in Marketing & Sales, Research & Development and created a Digital hub for the global businesses.
Saw the Company grow from a strength of 50 employees to over 3000, establishment of best HR practices and assisted in the growth of a strong ethical & value driven organization. I guess I can write a book on growing an organization with its challenges.
Any and every role must evolve, failing which it becomes redundant. The same thing applies to the office of the General Counsel. In years past, a General Counsel would be expected to advice only on law, with limited business reference. A seat on the Board was rare. However, today the General Counsel is an equal business partner who sits in on all strategic discussions. The voice is considered.
This naturally results in assignment of complete responsibility on the Legal team and therefore the General Counsel. The General Counsel automatically becomes the custodian of compliance & ethics of the organization and must be accountable for risk management as well. This is challenging but, extremely exciting for the new age General Counsel, who develops acute business acumen along the way. The General Counsel must display good leadership qualities & ability to manage any sort of crisis.
For most General Counsels, convincing business teams on the impracticalities of several transactions is a constant challenge. Becoming an advisor and a team player is imperative and therefore if a General Counsel has the misfortune to have a nonaligned management, as does happen very often, it can be difficult. Budgetary & time delivery constraints are very real for most everyone. Getting spend on technology accepted, is another pain point.
General Counsels must invest time and effort in understanding the business, its needs, pressures of delivery etc. before they can be accepted whole heartedly.
The other challenge I foresee, is the entry of AI and Legal technology which is going to change the composition of legal teams and everyday working experience of lawyers.
I have been fortunate to have a good relationship with almost all firms that have worked with us. These firms took the time to understand the business goals, working and culture of the organization. This is a two-way street and therefore General Counsels too have to ensure that businesspeople are onboarded directly with law firms as well in order to get better understanding.
Law firms need to know what kind of pressures the General Counsel is facing in real time within the organization, as today the General Counsel, is more than just in charge of the Legal function. The limitations within which a General Counsel has to work, and deliver are also equally important to understand. Communication & relationship building is the best way forward to build synergies and deliver the best.
Any advice for someone exploring a legal career as an in-house counsel?
Develop a ‘think out of the box’ approach; add business and finance knowledge; hone oratory skills as a lot of negotiation takes place within an organization. It’s a rewarding career regardless of other pressures. The responsibility for deliverables and accountability for decisions always keeps it fresh. Almost always, being in-house exposes you to multiple facets thereby ensuring knowledge is not one dimensional.
Favorite Gadget – Phone (necessity) & iPad (otherwise)
Favorite App – Any and all related to fitness
Favorite Automobile Brand – All are welcome
Favorite Writing Instrument – Pen
Favorite Holiday Destination – Anywhere in the mountains
Favorite Cuisine – Enjoy all cuisines. Too
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