THE PROFESSIONAL YOU

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

My role with Cashfree Payments entails, (a) Extending advisory and guidance to all the relevant stakeholders; (b) Suggesting, writing and implementing policies that support compliance; (c) Guiding and training the in-house legal team.

Tell us something about your journey so far as a General Counsel in India?

There are three dimensions to the ‘fintech’ industry as of today. Firstly, it requires innovation to make payments and lending more efficient. Secondly, it is moving from the ‘early adoption’ stage towards the ‘inflection point’. Thirdly, regulators are moving along with the pace of growth of the industry and improvising with regulations. These developments offer me a unique opportunity as a General Counsel and make this journey more exiting

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

In India, businesses are moving from being ‘offline’ to ‘online’. This requires today’s General Counsel to understand the technology, changing markets and the impact of these changes on the way compliance should be done, structuring of business transactions, and framing of policies & processes.

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

The improved regulatory regime concerning labour laws, cyber security, and privacy bring new challenges for General Counsel. General Counsel have to address critical questions concerning products, compliance and commercial contracts on regular basis. The General Counsel has to outline policies concerning the acquisition of data, sharing of data and processing of data. General Counsel also has to address matters concerning the hiring of the team and building new technical strengths within the team.

What are your thoughts on improving synergies between Law Firms and Corporate In-House Legal teams?

It’s time for Indian Law Firms to build strength for supporting Indian businesses to expand in foreign jurisdictions.

What are some of the key tools that general counsel can use for Continued Learning Education (CLE)?

The available learning tool for General Counsel is to read online news from credible sources. Articles, white papers, and reports issued by international agencies such as the World Economic Forum, International Monetary fund, foreign and domestic regulators. General Counsel can also participate in webinars to update themselves.

Any advice for someone exploring a legal career as an In-House Counsel?

It is advisable for young lawyers to spend some time in courts, and with law firms, before they opt for a career as in-house counsel to hone their drafting skills. They should also be considering understanding emerging areas of law and technology. Some soft skills concerning communications and interpersonal skills are necessary.

THE CASUAL YOU

Favourite Gadget - None, prefer to be away from them
Favourite App - Zomato
Favourite Automobile Brand - All brands are good, if it’s a ‘Wrangler’
Favourite Writing Instrument - Choice of writing instrument depends upon what I am writing
Favourite Holiday Destination - Every destination that has blue sea and green forest
Favourite Cuisine - All cuisine provided food is cooked well and is not bland

Challenging Opportunities Make General Counsel’s Journey More Exciting : Aditya Tiwari, Senior Director – Legal, Cashfree Payments

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