Team Size: 48 

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?  

Online dispute resolution (ODR) involves using digital platforms and solutions to facilitate the resolution of legal disputes, providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional in-person legal proceedings. The legal team, with a view to increase resolution and operational efficiency embraced the ODR tools and techniques, leveraging technology to streamline dispute resolution processes, making it accessible, convenient, and often faster for parties involved in legal conflicts.  

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?  

The legal team is riding a thrilling wave of activity, fuelled by the exciting developments in the financial services industry this year. Intensified regulatory scrutiny has injected fresh energy into our pursuit of enhanced risk management and governance in this ever-evolving landscape. This renewed focus has ignited a whirlwind of transformation in the regulatory framework, triggering upgrades to our IT systems, outsourcing, and operational processes.  

The lessons learned from the Covid era, and the exciting post-Covid business landscape have illuminated a pressing demand to invest in supercharged customer engagement strategies. This calls for enhancements of our products and services to not only meet, but exceed the expectations of all stakeholders, be it our valued customers, vigilant regulators, or our indispensable partners.  

In this transformative journey, we have not only been there for our business with partner contracts but have masterfully steered through the same to confront the myriad business challenges and uncertainties. We have embarked on a quest to tame commercial risks with a sharp focus on digital innovation and seamless processes, creating an electrifying business atmosphere. Our mission remains to protect and secure the company’s interests in a fast-evolving world of opportunities and challenges. 

As mentioned above, the legal team has been at the forefront of championing collections and recovery efforts with an innovative arsenal of legal tools. We have not only been providing unwavering support on challenging accounts but have also unleashed our creative spirit through groundbreaking approaches such as e-arbitration, e-conciliation, and the dynamic world of lok adalats. In the area of debt recovery, we are not just following the standard path; we are forging new trails and setting higher standards for ourselves. Our aim is not just to recover debts but to do so in an efficient and cost-effective way that transforms the landscape of collections and recovery.  

If you had to give advice to an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel, what would it be and why? 

My suggestion to an aspiring in-house lawyer or general counsel would be to build a deep understanding of your company’s industry and operations. This knowledge will make you a more effective legal advisor. Developing strong communications and interpersonal skills is important for wider collaboration and in fostering relationships while building an invaluable network, as is the importance of staying updated on legal developments and industry trends.  

My personal view is traits such as humility and empathy fuel a process of continuous learning, which is key for providing the best counsel. Be proactive in identifying and mitigating legal risks. Prevention is often more valuable than solving problems.