Vice President – Legal – Real Estate

This opportunity is with an esteemed Real Estate Company that boasts a rich heritage as being one of the oldest companies, Characterised by a history of leadership and strategic business engagements, the company has adeptly navigated India’s dynamic corporate landscape, thereby sustaining its stature as a noteworthy presence within the country’s business community. With interests spanning multiple sectors, the entity has demonstrated adaptability and resilience, underpinned by a commitment to excellence and anchored by a robust legacy. It continues to maintain a significant position, distinguished by its enduring contributions and pursuit of high standards across its diversified portfolio.

The Company is seeking a Vice President – Legal, with responsibilities split between non-litigation (80%) and litigation (20%) legal matters. This role involves providing legal expertise for commercial agreements, transactions, joint ventures, and contracts, ensuring company’s interests are protected and risks mitigated. The incumbent will manage litigation cases, conduct legal research, brief solicitors, and represent company to drive favourable outcomes and minimise liabilities.

Responsibilities:

• Review and drafting of MOU / LOI, Agreements for Sale, construction contracts, Conveyance Deeds, Part Performance Agreements, Power of Attorney, documentation for contracts, non disclosure letters, confidentiality agreements, Affidavits, Undertakings, Board Resolutions etc. and other connected documents
• Coordinate with various departments and assist / advise them on commercial & contracts management / legal compliances / various laws in force to analyse risk and advice on statutory and legal aspects and review compliances to mitigate risk and reduce legal cost while protecting the company’s interest
• Carry out due diligence of existing documents like Sales deed, contracts & tender documents, non-disclosure agreements, tri-partite agreements etc. and provide legal expertise to ensure that the documents are legally correct and that the company’s interests are protected. Proactively implement framework to mitigate legal risk
• Provide legal advice to other departments on the interpretation of statutes and legal documentations while entering into any contract, agreements, tie-ups, mergers etc. to ensure that the actions being taken are legally sound and that the organisation’s interests are safeguarded.
• Liaise with external solicitors representing clients, consultants, vendors etc for negotiation of contract terms and conditions, agreements, Sales deed, commercial leasing’s, etc. and negotiate incorporation of legal terms tailored to Company’s need and ensure that the company’s risk and liabilities are mitigated to the most possible extent
• Carry out research and prepare reports on legally complex issues to ensure that the organisation has full information about legal implications of any decisions. Maintain an awareness of development in legal field relevant to the organisation, including reviewing and reporting on the implications of any new legislation
• Supervise the application / registration of Trademarks, Patenting, Copyrights, etc. of Design, Product, Logos, Brands, and Name etc. Maintain a database / record of approvals received and pending cases. Sending notices, responses etc. for violation of trademark and patent. Supervise filing of appeals with concerned authorities and initiating legal action, where ever required
• Negotiate with Solicitors Firms for commercials & terms of appointment. Ensure effective cost control through hard negotiations. Monitor and manage the departmental budgets to ensure that cost is with the approved budget and the negotiated commercials are beneficial to the organisational interest
• Proven capabilities in handling legal implications pertaining to land acquisition, dispute settlement etc.; Well conversant with land laws (especially the local laws), RERA & laws pertaining to development; To vet and finalize drafts of agreements/documents with respect to acquisition of new projects for the development of residential projects; To approve and finalize various drafts of litigation affidavits/writs, petitions, replies etc. to be filed before various courts.
• Carry out due diligence of existing documents like Sales deed, contracts & tender documents, non-disclosure agreements, tripartite agreements etc and provide legal expertise to ensure that the documents are legally correct and that the company’s interests are protected. Proactively implement framework to mitigate legal risk
• Liaise with the government authorities and other statutory bodies in order to comply with rules and regulations for smooth execution of the projects. Excellent rapport with revenue and other Govt. officials in the State. To represent the company at meetings with external bodies to ensure that the legal aspects of any decisions are fully considered.
• Review and advise the Management on various amendments, notifications, acts, rules, latest judgements etc. by various Government institutions and research and prepare detailed analysis of these based on the company’s interest / business plans. Advice all concerned to ensure that company’s interest / liabilities are protected
• Carry out various due diligences of company’s land banks and other joint ventures etc to ensure that all legal & statutory requirements are in order. Obtain and maintain a database required documents for ready references. Brief Management in case of any lapse and recommend / initiate corrective actions to avoid legal hassles
• Negotiate with Solicitors Firms for commercials & terms of appointment. Ensure effective cost control through hard negotiations. Monitor and manage the departmental budgets to ensure that cost is with the approved budget and the negotiated commercials are beneficial to the organisational interest

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law / Post Graduate or Master’s Degree in Law
• 18+ years of experience
• Well versed with latest Real Estate Laws and regulations, regulatory and Liaison requirements for approval of projects
• Good Knowledge of Property and Land Transactions and laws pertaining to the same.
• Due diligence of Property / Land related matters and documentation / governmental proceedings
• Good networking with property related governmental bodies
• Experience in handing litigation related to Property, Land, Real Estate, Construction
• Strong Leadership, Management and Inter Personal skills
• Excellent Verbal, written communication Skills and Negotiation skills
• Strong Problem Solving and Decision making skills 
• Should be Confident, quick witted and should have an entrepreneurial approach
• Should be familiar with reading Marathi language.