Senior Legal Counsel

Location: Mumbai

Reporting To: Senior Management

Department: Legal

Role Overview:

The Senior Legal Counsel serves as a strategic legal advisor to the organization, providing comprehensive legal guidance across corporate, commercial, regulatory, and operational matters. The role is responsible for safeguarding AstaGuru's legal interests by ensuring regulatory compliance, mitigating business risks, managing complex commercial agreements, and overseeing dispute resolution. The ideal candidate combines exceptional legal expertise with strong commercial acumen, enabling informed decision-making while supporting the organization's long-term growth and governance objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Advisory & Business Partnership:

- Provide strategic legal counsel to senior management on corporate, commercial, regulatory, and operational matters.

- Advise business leaders on legal implications of strategic initiatives, new business opportunities, partnerships, and organizational policies.

- Support decision-making by delivering practical, commercially sound legal solutions aligned with business objectives.

Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance:

- Ensure compliance with all applicable corporate, commercial, and regulatory laws across jurisdictions.

- Oversee corporate governance matters, including board resolutions, statutory filings, corporate records, and regulatory documentation.

- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and proactively advise stakeholders on business implications.

Contract Management & Commercial Transactions:

- Lead the drafting, review, negotiation, and execution of complex commercial agreements, vendor contracts, partnership agreements, service contracts, and confidentiality arrangements.

- Ensure contractual terms effectively mitigate legal and commercial risks while protecting the organization's interests.

- Develop and maintain contract management processes and legal documentation standards.

Risk Management & Dispute Resolution:

- Identify potential legal, regulatory, and contractual risks and implement proactive mitigation strategies.

- Manage litigation, arbitration, regulatory proceedings, and dispute resolution in coordination with external legal counsel where required.

- Provide legal support during investigations, claims, and compliance-related matters.

Intellectual Property & Compliance:

- Oversee the protection and management of trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property rights, and proprietary business assets.

- Develop legal policies, compliance frameworks, and governance procedures to strengthen organizational risk management.

- Conduct periodic compliance reviews and recommend improvements to internal controls.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Partner with Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Operations, Client Relations, and other business functions to provide timely legal support.

- Review business processes, commercial initiatives, and operational policies to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.

- Deliver legal training and awareness programs on compliance, ethics, contracts, and corporate governance.

External Counsel & Legal Operations:

- Manage relationships with external law firms, regulatory authorities, and legal consultants.

- Oversee legal budgets, external counsel engagements, and litigation expenses to ensure cost-effective legal service delivery.

- Maintain legal records, documentation, and reporting systems in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

- Organizational compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

- Timely review and execution of commercial contracts and legal documentation.

- Reduction and mitigation of legal and regulatory risks.

- Successful management and resolution of litigation, disputes, and legal claims.

- Protection and management of intellectual property assets.

- Timeliness and quality of legal advice provided to business stakeholders.

- Cost optimization of external legal counsel and legal operations.

- Effectiveness of legal training and compliance awareness initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B.) from a recognized university; LL.M. or equivalent postgraduate qualification is preferred.

- Qualified to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.

- 12 - 18 years of experience in corporate legal practice, with significant exposure to commercial contracts, corporate governance, litigation, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

- Proven experience advising senior leadership and supporting complex commercial transactions.

- Experience working with external counsel, regulatory authorities, and cross-functional business teams.

- Exposure to international legal matters and cross-border transactions is preferred.

Preferred Industry Experience:

Experience in one or more of the following sectors:

- Auction Houses

- Luxury Retail & Lifestyle

- E-commerce & Digital Platforms

- Corporate Legal Practice

- Media & Entertainment

- Financial Services

- Art & Collectibles

Core Competencies:

Operations:

- Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance

- Commercial Contract Management

- Legal Risk Assessment & Mitigation

- Litigation & Dispute Resolution

- Intellectual Property Management

- Legal Policy Development & Compliance Frameworks

Technical:

- Corporate & Commercial Law

- Contract Drafting & Negotiation

- Regulatory Compliance

- Intellectual Property Law

- Employment & Labour Law

- Legal Research & Documentation

- Microsoft Office Suite & Legal Management Systems

Leadership:

- Strategic Business Partnering

- Executive Communication & Negotiation

- Stakeholder Management

- Sound Judgment & Decision Making

- Problem Solving & Commercial Acumen

- Professional Integrity & Confidentiality

- Cross-functional Collaboration

Success Profile:

The ideal candidate is a commercially minded legal professional who combines deep legal expertise with strategic business insight. They possess exceptional negotiation and analytical skills, enabling them to navigate complex legal matters while balancing commercial objectives and regulatory obligations. They are trusted advisors to senior leadership, demonstrating sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to deliver practical legal solutions that protect the organization's interests while supporting sustainable business growth.