Feb 2020 – Present · 6 yrs 3 mos

• Led full contract lifecycle management, including drafting, reviewing, standardizing templates, negotiating key terms, executing agreements, and maintaining a centralized tracker to ensure compliance, accuracy, and timely renewals across business functions. Administered end-to-end contract processes from RFP initiation to tender documentation and closure, ensuring legally compliant execution, commercial risk mitigation, and efficient documentation management supporting organizational procurement objectives. Negotiated and closed large, complex vendor and client agreements, resolved escalations, advised stakeholders on contractual risks, and delivered strategic legal support to protect organizational interests and strengthen dispute prevention. Delivered in-house legal advisory services, ensured policy compliance, supported internal business teams, and implemented legal governance frameworks to streamline contract operations, minimize liabilities, and enforce regulatory aligned internal policies. Implemented and deployed the “Carrar” contract management tool, optimized vendor negotiations, reviewed internal policies, and provided legal support for consumer banking, digital payments, financial inclusion, BBPS, payment aggregation, and related business operations.

Jan 2013 – Feb 2020 · 7 yrs 1 mo

Jan 2013 – Feb 2020 · 7 yrs 1 mo

• Conducted independent legal due diligence for acquisition of immovable properties, approved legal clearance requests, and supported informed decision-making for leasing bank branches, ATMs, offices, and branch rationalization during large-scale mergers. Collaborated with external lawyers to finalize title search reports, draft litigation responses and legal notices, and represented the organization before High Courts, Supreme Court, consumer forums, and various quasi-judicial authorities. Negotiated complex property agreements with advocates, asset owners, and facility partners, safeguarding financial and legal interests, and ensuring favorable contractual terms for branch premises, ATMs, corporate offices, and operational infrastructure. Liaised with enforcement agencies, municipal authorities, and senior legal experts while advising leadership on property acquisition matters, leading stakeholder coordination, and successfully mitigating liabilities, including saving ₹1 crore property tax expense. Resolved branch banking disputes, customer complaints, and operational queries by delivering legal and regulatory guidance, ensuring timely resolution, customer satisfaction, and mitigation of reputational and financial risks for the organization. Handled notices from enforcement and regulatory authorities including Police, CBI, PMLA, Income Tax, PF, EPFO, and ESI, ensuring accurate responses, compliance adherence, and risk-free outcomes for the Bank. Ensured strict adherence to organizational legal processes, branch governance guidelines, and statutory protocols while addressing customer concerns, enabling smooth complaint redressal and legally compliant branch operations. Coordinated with internal departments, compliance teams, and regulatory bodies to resolve legal matters affecting branch operations, improving accountability, strengthening governance frameworks, and safeguarding organizational reputation and customer interests.

Dec 2010 – Dec 2012 · 2 yrs · Gurugram, Haryana, India · On-site

Dec 2010 – Dec 2012 · 2 yrs

• Led negotiations and finalized collaboration agreements with landowners, drafted and vetted sale deeds, agreement-to-sell documents, POAs, and maintenance contracts supporting large real-estate acquisitions for builders, investors, and customers. Structured and reviewed legal documentation for property transactions, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, safeguarding stakeholder interests, and facilitating seamless transfer of ownership for residential, commercial, and investment assets. Represented the organization before external enforcement agencies including Crime Branch, Cyber Cell, and Economic Offence Wing, supporting investigations, addressing complex legal issues, and protecting the company’s legal and reputational interests. Collaborated with builders, property owners, and internal stakeholders to close property-related transactions, mitigate contractual risks, and deliver legally sound documentation frameworks supporting high-value real estate collaborations and financial investments.

Mar 2008 – Dec 2010 · 2 yrs 9 mos · Gurugram, Haryana, India · On-site

Mar 2008 – Dec 2010 · 2 yrs 9 mos

• Coordinated with business and operations teams to settle disputes with customers and counterparties, preventing potential litigation, reducing financial exposure, and protecting the company’s brand reputation through strategic pre-litigation resolution. Led legal negotiations to achieve mutually beneficial settlements, minimized litigation risks, and ensured faster closure of contentious matters by engaging stakeholders proactively and aligning solutions with business and regulatory requirements. Supervised and guided a legal team of five professionals operating across four zones, ensuring consistent documentation standards, timely case handling, and compliance with internal legal and operational policies. Strengthened organizational legal governance by driving dispute resolution strategies, streamlining internal workflows, improving stakeholder coordination, and reducing escalation rates through effective team leadership and proactive legal interventions.

Apr 2007 – Mar 2008 · 11 mos · New Delhi, Delhi, India · On-site

Apr 2007 – Mar 2008 · 11 mos

• Served as Zonal Legal Head for Northern and Eastern regions, independently managing legal operations, due diligence, property title verification, lease documentation, and end-to-end closure of high-value real estate transactions. Delivered strategic legal advisory to business and operations teams, mitigated risks through process compliance, and ensured legally sound transactions by coordinating documentation, drafting agreements, and strengthening internal legal controls. Drafted replies to consumer complaints, collaborated with operations for factual submissions, filed responses before consumer forums, and represented the organization to ensure timely resolution and reduction of reputational exposure. Appeared before Magistrate Courts and law enforcement authorities, responded to summons, defended company interests in regulatory and criminal matters, and provided ongoing legal support to leadership at the corporate head office.

Nov 2005 – Mar 2007 · 1 yr 4 mos · New Delhi, Delhi, India · On-site

Nov 2005 – Mar 2007 · 1 yr 4 mos

• Independently managed internal legal documentation, communication controls, and record retention processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and secure handling of confidential information exchanged with external stakeholders and counterparties. Conducted forensic audits of branches and regional offices, examined legal and financial records, derived evidence for internal investigations, and supported identification of irregularities affecting organizational operational and compliance integrity. Evaluated financial and transactional activities to detect unethical conduct, including fraud and embezzlement, enabling leadership to strengthen governance frameworks, implement preventive controls, and mitigate operational and legal risks. Prepared confidential audit reports for the Company Secretary and Internal Audit Head, recommended corrective actions, held review meetings with auditees, and facilitated continuous improvements in internal control and compliance processes.

Sep 2002 – Oct 2005 · 3 yrs 1 mo

• Drafted replies to notices from Central Excise, Service Tax, Customs and GST authorities for manufacturers and service providers, ensuring accurate representation of facts and legal compliance to prevent penal liabilities. Prepared appeals before Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner (Appeals), researched judicial precedents, and assisted in drafting submissions to contest tax demands, strengthen legal arguments, and protect client interests. Represented clients before Superintendents and Appellate Revenue Authorities, monitored procedural compliance in filings, and supported risk mitigation through correct documentation, account maintenance, and regulatory adherence to avoid tax evasion allegations. Conducted internal audits of financial, operational, and production records for manufacturers, assisted in preparing CESTAT appeals, and reviewed legal publications, contributing to tax litigation strategies and industry-relevant research materials.