PLEASE GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT YOURSELF.

I pursued BA. LL.B (Hons.) in 2013 and LL.M in 2016 from Amity University. I am currently associated with 1MG Technologies Private Limited (digital healthcare e-commerce platform) and working as Senior Legal Counsel, Regulatory, Compliance and Disputes.

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF YOUR JOURNEY AS A LAWYER INCLUDING INTERNSHIPS EXPERIENCE.

Though, there is a never-ending learning in a lawyer’s life and one usually learns new techniques and skills on a daily basis. My journey, so far, has been exciting, since I have earlier worked with a Law Firm and am presently working in the E-Commerce Sector as an In-House Counsel. Most of my internships during the semester intervals were in the District Courts and Law Firms and I have always tried to make the most of the opportunities that have come across.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR LEARNINGS FROM YOUR FIRST JOB WITH LAW FIRM?

The first job is only about learnings. My sole motive in life has never been to say “NO” to any work irrespective of the nature of the book and nuisances involved therein. As a first-generation lawyer, securing a job in a Law Firm was in itself a big benchmark for me, and one should always value the same. In my initial days working with a Law Firm, I have learned fundamentals about legal environment and practice, which included a review of documents, drafting of legal notices, managing case files, tracking case updates, co-ordination with external legal counsels and have spent a considerable amount of time and efforts in preparing case notes and undertaking legal research on various complex legal issues.

WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE BEHIND SWITCHING FROM A LAW FIRM TO AN IN-HOUSE ROLE?

Exciting question!! Switching from a Law Firm to an In-House practice role was an independent decision. I always wanted to experience the Corporate Legal Environment by working with multifunctional teams across the Company and understanding their business and operational requirements, and preparing legal models per the existing legal and regulatory framework. It is essential to note and understand that considering the sector-specific challenges in the legal e-commerce industry, the role of In-House Counsels has its own separate set of challenges and targeted timelines; it’s a different journey altogether.

BRIEFLY, TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE AS AN IN-HOUSE COUNSEL

In my current role, I am responsible for regulatory, compliance, and litigation affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries. With a sudden and fast change in regulatory framework, particularly in the E-Commerce Legal Ecosystem, we are involved in drafting legal memos on fresh and upcoming regulatory issues, which directly, indirectly, or potentially impact the business operations of the Company. Our aim as an In-House Legal Team is to keep our business team updated with all the latest legal developments.

HOW IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL IS IT FOR AN IN-HOUSE COUNSEL TO UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY?

In my opinion, it is the topmost important aspect for an In-House Counsel to understand the business and nature of the operations of the Company. In other words, considering the specific challenges in the present E-Commerce Legal Ecosystem, one has to get married to the business of the Company. Understanding the business operations in a comprehensive manner helps to evaluate the potential legal and regulatory risks and challenges and ensure that the precautionary measures and roadmap for corrective actions is prepared well in advance to tackle the same in a more efficient and effective manner before the expected situation arises in real time.

DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED LEGAL SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER WORK MANAGEMENT AND ACCESS LEGAL NEWS PLATFORMS TO KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED WITH THE LATEST LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS?

Yes, we are working closely with identified legal tech start-ups and using their tools to integrate and automate our systems. Adopting innovative techniques and the latest technological solutions have become integral in the smooth functioning of In-House Legal Teams. The said integration also helps us in streamlining internal processes, standardization, managing timelines, setting up protocol, and establishing an escalation matrix to achieve effective results. We are also subscribed to legal media platforms and magazines, wherein we closely monitor the latest legal and regulatory updates on a daily basis and accordingly keep our business teams updated as and when required.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE COMPLEX SITUATION WHEN YOU HAVE TO SAY “NO” TO A PARTICULAR BUSINESS DECISION?

On certain occasions and considering the complex regulatory regime, it is very crucial to say “No”, subject to one having very robust legal reasoning in support of the decision. Since, In-House Counsels represents the entire Company and are considered the legal face of the Company while negotiating deals with the external counsels and counter-parts, hence, before arriving at a firm and collective business conclusion or signing-off on a particular engagement, proposition or structure from legal perspective, we usually;

Undertake comprehensive legal research on the issue,
Analyse the subject matter with the current legal and regulatory framework with the judicial precedents
Draft an appropriate communication from legal perspective clearly setting out the potential risk and consequences and further share the same with the internal stakeholder. Usually, it helps everyone to arrive at a conclusive decision in the interest of the Company and sets out adequate checks and balances to ensure and avoid any potential risk.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED IN YOUR LEGAL CAREER?

Set goals, create a blueprint, define timelines and execute! Never say ‘No’.

In my current role, I am responsible for regulatory, compliance, and litigation affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries. I also closely work with external Legal Counsels on rare occasions for certain matters, which require specific subject matter expertise and opinions.

Jatin Arora Senior Legal Counsel - Regulatory and Compliance, 1mg.com

“In-House Counsel are Active Commercial Players” - Jatin Arora, Senior Legal Counsel - Regulatory and Compliance, 1mg.com

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