“GCs are Taking Up Broader Responsibilities and Actively Participating in Strategic Decisions” – Vinay Bhagawan, Head – Legal & Compliance, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles

In-House Counsel

“GCs are Taking Up Broader Responsibilities and Actively Participating in Strategic Decisions” – Vinay Bhagawan, Head – Legal & Compliance, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles

Lex Witness Bureau | June 2023

The Professional You

Briefly, Tell Us About Your Role In The Organization And The Mandates You Handle?

As the Head of Legal and Compliance – Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, I am responsible for overseeing and managing the efficient delivery of legal and compliance services within the company

My mandate encompasses the following areas:

Providing legal advice and counsel to the company’s executive team, board of directors, and other stakeholders on a wide range of legal and compliance matters.
Identifying and assessing legal risks that may impact the company’s operations, reputation, and compliance, and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
Have a compliance oversight to ensure company’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards by establishing, implementing and maintaining an effective compliance programs, policies, and procedures in line with Daimler Truck standards.
Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and review of contracts and legal agreements to protect the company’s interests and minimize legal risks.
Manage legal disputes and litigation involving the organization, including overseeing external counsel, developing litigation strategies, and representing the organization’s interests in legal proceedings.
Advice on Corporate Governance, IP and ESG matters.
Ensure the organization operates in an ethical and responsible manner consistent with Daimler Truck corporate standards.
Provide legal guidance during mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and other corporate transactions.
Lead and manage the legal and compliance department, including developing legal staff, contribute to their success, managing budgets, and ensuring the efficient delivery of legal and compliance services within the organization

Tell Us Something About Your Journey So Far As A General Counsel In India?

For me, a General Counsel is more than just a lawyer and my journey as a General Counsel has been a path of continuous growth and learning, strategic thinking, enabling business, addressing diverse stakeholders, and building the best-inhouse legal team that is sensitive to Company’s legal needs and contributes to its success.

Do You Feel That The Role of General Counsels Is Evolving In Today’s Business Scenario? And If So, How?

Yes, the role of a General Counsels is indeed evolving in today’s business scenario and this can be attributed to many factors and to state a few:

General Counsels are taking up broader responsibilities and actively participating in strategic decision making
Increased complexity of legal environment due to changing laws, regulations, and global business dynamics.
Newer challenges thrown up by the VUCA world, requiring General Counsels to be scanning more rigorously for uncertain, ambiguous and even less likely risks.
General Counsels are increasingly leveraging on technology and analytics to streamline processes.
General Counsels are also fostering diverse and inclusive work environments and address equity and inclusion matters.

What Are The Key Challenges That General Counsels Have to Deal With on A Regular Basis, Irrespective of The Industry Sector?

The key challenges General Counsels deal with

With the globalization of businesses, General Counsels are faced with the challenge of navigating and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions.
Addressing legal complexities associated with cross-border operations.
Keeping pace with regulatory changes and staying up to date on existing/emerging laws.
Advancements in the area of technology as they present both opportunities and challenges.
Balancing cost considerations with the need for quality legal services.
Prioritising tasks, allocating resources and ensuring efficient workflow to manage workloads.

What Are Your Thoughts on Improving Synergies Between Law Firms And Corporate Inhouse Legal Teams?

To improve synergies between law firms and corporate in-house legal teams, I would consider the following approaches:

Focus on relationship building, encourage regular interactions.
Have clear lines of communication and expectations.
Encourage knowledge sharing, legal insights and sharing of trends.
Conduct regular performance reviews.
Bringing transparency in billing and cost management.
Maintain an open feedback loop.

What Are Some of The Key Tools That General Counsels Can Use For Continued Learning Education (cle)?

For CLE, General Counsels can leverage various tools and resources available at their disposal to name a few:

Subscribing to legal publications, journals, legal research databases.
Professional association and networking.
Attending seminars, webinars and virtual conferences.
Legal podcasts provide insight into many subjects/industry trends etc.
Following thought leaders in the legal industry and their blogs.

Any Advice For Someone Exploring A Legal Career as an In-house Counsel?

Building a successful career as an inhouse counsel takes time, dedication and continuous learning, therefore some pieces of advice to help you navigate and excel in the field is

Focus on building a strong foundation in core legal subjects, such as
contracts, corporate law, IP, regulatory compliance.
Get diverse legal experience early in your career (law firms, government agencies, NGO).
Take time to understand how businesses operate, develop business judgment.
Develop strong communication and inter personal skills.
Stay focussed, don’t give up learning, and continuously update your knowledge and skill sets.
Build a network within your Company and in the legal fraternity.
Thinking from various perspectives and exploring creative solutions.
Embrace ethical standards.
Don’t hesitate to seek feedback, guidance, mentorship.

The Casual You

FAVOURITE GADGET – Mobile Phone
FAVOURITE APP – Twitter
FAVOURITE AUTOMOBILE BRAND – ‘Mercedes’ & ‘BharatBenz’
FAVOURITE WRITING INSTRUMENT – OneNote
FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION – Switzerland
FAVOURITE CUISINE – Nothing beats Indian cuisine

About Lex Witness

Lex Witness Bureau

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