Job Title: National Legal Manager - MSME / LAP

Role Overview

The National Legal Manager - MSME/LAP will lead and manage end-to-end legal functions for secured lending products (Loan Against Property, MSME lending, and Home Loans) across multiple states. The role focuses on collateral risk assessment, legal due diligence, policy formulation, compliance, and litigation management, ensuring robust legal frameworks to safeguard business interests.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Due Diligence & Collateral Management

- Conduct detailed scrutiny of chain title documents for mortgage/LAP/MSME cases across jurisdictions.

- Evaluate properties under various authorities (Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities, Gram Panchayat, etc.).

- Provide legal opinions and approvals within defined authority limits.

- Identify legal risks, title defects, and fraudulent documentation, and recommend mitigation strategies.

- Ensure compliance with state-specific land laws, stamp duty, and registration regulations.

2. Policy Formulation & Risk Mitigation

- Draft and implement collateral policies, legal process notes, and SOPs aligned with regulatory and market practices.

- Develop risk mitigation frameworks to minimize exposure in secured lending.

- Continuously update policies based on regulatory changes, local laws, and market intelligence.

3. Vendor & Stakeholder Management

- Empanel and manage external legal vendors, law firms, and advocates across regions.

- Coordinate with credit, technical, risk, audit, and operations teams to resolve legal queries.

- Liaise with co-lenders, NBFC partners, and FLDG partners on legal documentation and approvals.

4. Litigation & Recovery Support

- Oversee litigation strategy for NPA accounts, including actions under SARFAESI, NI Act (Sec 138), Arbitration, and Civil/Criminal proceedings.

- Supervise filing of cases, legal notices, possession proceedings (Sec 14), and recovery actions.

- Handle fraud cases, theft, employee misconduct, and company-against matters.

- Monitor court cases and ensure timely resolution in coordination with advocates.

5. Compliance, Audit & Regulatory

- Ensure adherence to RBI guidelines, internal compliance frameworks, and audit requirements.

- Prepare and present MIS reports (monthly/quarterly/annual) for management, audit, and compliance teams.

- Handle regulatory queries and legal audits, including portfolio due diligence (DA audits).

6. Training & Knowledge Management

Conduct training sessions for credit, sales, and operations teams on:

- Collateral risk identification

- Fraud detection in property documents

- Legal compliance requirements

- Promote awareness of best practices in secured lending legal processes.

7. Field & Authority Liaison

- Engage with local authorities (JDA, RHB, Municipal bodies, Sub-registrar offices, etc.) to stay updated on legal developments.

- Interpret circulars, notifications, and regulatory updates, and implement necessary policy changes.

Key Skills & Competencies

- Strong expertise in property laws, mortgage lending, and secured transactions

- In-depth knowledge of SARFAESI Act, NI Act, Arbitration, and civil/criminal procedures

- Ability to identify fraud and mitigate legal risks proactively

- Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination

- Strong analytical, drafting, and decision-making skills

Experience & Qualification

- LLB/LLM from a recognized university

- 10+ years of experience in Banking/NBFC legal functions, especially in MSME/LAP/Home Loans

- Experience in handling multi-state legal operations and team/vendor management preferred

Preferred Background

- Prior experience in NBFCs / Small Finance Banks / Housing Finance Companies

- Exposure to both litigation and non-litigation legal functions

- Proven track record in risk mitigation and fraud detection

Key Deliverables / KPIs

- Reduction in collateral-related legal risk

- Turnaround time (TAT) for legal approvals and due diligence

- Effective litigation recovery and case resolution

- Compliance adherence and audit performance

- Strengthening of legal policies and frameworks