Assistant Manager/Manager – Legal

Company Description

Established in 1939, Godavari Biorefineries Limited operates state-of-the-art plants located in Karnataka and Maharashtra, India. The company has a diverse portfolio that spans industries such as sugar, power, industrial alcohol, heavy organic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and bio-fertilizers, and is also actively engaged in agricultural research. By focusing on producing over twenty products from renewable resources, Godavari Biorefineries has created an integrated value chain from sugarcane to sugar and value-added products like ethanol, power, and bio-fertilizers. The company prioritizes sustainability and innovation in its operations.

Job Summary:

We are looking for a skilled and well-rounded Legal Professional with 810 years of experience in both litigation and corporate legal functions. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience in property laws & disputes, recovery, criminal matters, and contract drafting along with strong MIS reporting and custodian responsibilities. The role also requires liaison with advocates, courts, and government departments, and proficiency in legal tech tools. Candidates must be fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi/ Kannada (preferred), and open to travel for legal and site-related work.

Location: Mumbai

Experience: 810 Years

Key Responsibilities:

1. Litigation & Dispute Management

• Handle civil, criminal, recovery, and property-related legal matters.
• Represent the company or coordinate with external counsels in court proceedings across various jurisdictions.
• Maintain legal case trackers, hearing schedules, and litigation status reports.

2. Corporate & Non-Litigation Legal Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, lease deeds, NDAs, MoUs, vendor contracts, etc.
• Provide legal advice to business units on regulatory and compliance issues.
• Support in internal policy development and contract management.

3. Real Estate Legal & Land Laws

• Manage land acquisition-related legal processes, including title due diligence and regulatory compliance.
• Handle documentation and legal vetting for land/property transactions, particularly in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Liaise with local authorities, landowners, and departments for clearances.

4. Legal MIS & Document Custodian

• Maintain centralized MIS for all ongoing litigation, contract timelines, legal expenses, and compliance activities.
• Generate periodic legal reports and dashboards for management review.
• Act as custodian of original legal documents, ensuring proper storage (physical & digital), indexing, and access control.
• Implement and manage a legal document management system (DMS) for seamless retrieval and audit.

5. Liaison, Coordination & Administration

• Coordinate with external advocates, law firms, and consultants.
• Regularly visit courts, registrar offices, and government bodies for case follow-ups and compliance.
• Interface with internal departments for document collection, approvals, and status updates.

Key Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: LLB (mandatory) or LLM or certifications in real estate/corporate law are a plus.
• Experience: 810 years with a mix of litigation (property/recovery/criminal) and in-house corporate experience or law firm.
• Strong knowledge of land laws across India, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Proficient in contract drafting, negotiation, and legal advisory.
• Well-versed with legal MIS, Excel, document management systems, and MS Office tools.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Languages: Fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada (preferred).
• Must be currently based in Mumbai and open to travel as per business needs.

Preferred Background:

• Experience in real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing, or similar industries.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and coordinate across legal and operational teams be team player.
• High integrity, organized, and process-driven approach.

Interested candidates are requested to share their updated profile atacharekar.poonam@somaiya.com.

We look forward to connecting with qualified legal professionals ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role.