Legal Associate

Position Overview:

The Legal Counsel will be responsible for managing and supporting all legal matters of the organization, including litigation, contract management, statutory compliance, legal advisory, and coordination with external law firms. The role also involves ensuring timely review of legal documents, supporting business functions with actionable advice, and managing billing and payment processes for external legal services.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Litigation Management
Handle and monitor all ongoing litigations and legal proceedings involving the company (civil, criminal, labour, and commercial).
Coordinate with external lawyers, draft responses, affidavits, and statements.
Ensure timely submission of legal documents and maintain case trackers.
Review legal notices, reply, and assist in settlement discussions.
Attend court hearings or coordinate with counsel as required.
2. Contract Management
Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial contracts including NDAs, service agreements, purchase orders, lease agreements, vendor contracts, MoUs, etc.
Ensure contract templates are updated in line with business and regulatory requirements.
Advise internal departments (SCM, HR, Finance, Engineering, etc.) on contractual obligations and risk mitigation.
3. Compliance & Regulatory
Ensure adherence to statutory and regulatory compliance requirements under applicable Indian laws.
Update the Compliance Management Portal and track new or amended laws applicable to the company.
Liaise with cross-functional teams for compliance audits and reporting.
4. Legal Advisory
Provide general legal advice and opinions to business teams on day-to-day operational and strategic matters.
Evaluate legal risks in business decisions and suggest appropriate safeguards.
Support management in M&A, JV, restructuring, or business expansion projects as needed.
5. Law Firm Coordination & Billing
Liaise with external law firms for case updates, document sharing, and advice.
Review law firm invoices and ensure accuracy of billed hours and compliance with agreed fee terms.
Coordinate with finance for timely processing of law firm and consultant payments.
Maintain a database of approved legal vendors and monitor legal spend.
6. Documentation & Record Keeping
Maintain an organized repository of all legal documents, agreements, notices, and litigation files (physical and digital).
Track contract renewals, compliance deadlines, and litigation status reports.
Key Skills & Competencies
Strong knowledge of corporate and commercial laws, civil/criminal procedures, and regulatory frameworks.
Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
Analytical mindset with attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to handle multiple priorities under tight timelines.
Proficiency in MS Office and legal database tools.
Educational Qualification & Experience

Qualification:

LL.B. (5 Years Course preferred) & LLM (Optional).

Experience:

6–10 years of post-qualification experience in corporate legal function or reputed law firm.
Experience in manufacturing, engineering, or automotive sector / auto component industry will be an added advantage (must).
Key Deliverables / KPIs
Timely response to legal notices and court matters.
100% compliance with statutory and regulatory timelines.
On-time contract vetting and approvals.
Effective coordination with external counsels and timely processing of payments.
Legal risk mitigation, good analytical skills and proactive support to business functions.