Lead Counsel

Summary

Join Tala, a leading fintech company, as Lead Counsel for Tala India, where you will spearhead legal, regulatory, and compliance efforts. You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with NBFC licensing and partnerships, advising on growth and product regulation, managing general business regulatory compliance, and staying updated on relevant rules and regulations. The role also involves drafting and negotiating contracts, handling secretarial and regulatory filings, building relationships with external stakeholders, and managing external counsel. You will implement and maintain a comprehensive compliance structure, monitor compliance strategy implementation, and synthesize complex legal requirements into actionable steps. Furthermore, you will manage and coach a legal team, establishing processes for monitoring their progress and success.

Requirements

• 8+ years of post-qualification legal experience
• Minimum of 2+ years at a top-tier law firm
• At least 2 years working as a legal/compliance advisor to an operating NBFC
• Strong understanding of RBI regulations, Scale Base Regulation, Companies Act, FEMA, and relevant financial industry regulations and guidelines
• A law degree from a leading university or law school
• Company Secretary certification

Responsibilities

• Lead on strategy and implementation of non-banking financial company (“NBFC”) license compliance and partnerships for Tala India
• Advise on growth and product regulation for both Tala India and Tala globally, even when the regulatory regime is unclear with respect to the contemplated business objectives; working with non-legal teams to advise on product regulatory strategy and assist in structuring new lines of business
• Manage general business regulatory compliance, secretarial compliance, corporate governance, and other legal matters for Tala India
• Stay up to date on relevant rules and regulations affecting Tala India and collaborate with the Global Legal team to assess their potential impact on Tala’s innovative and growing business. This includes work on emerging legislation such as the regulation of digital lenders and data privacy
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts and other documentation on a wide range of matters, including marketing, collection, and support services
• Do all secretarial and regulatory filings required under the Companies Act, FEMA, and RBI regulations
• Work closely with the External Affairs team to build relationships with external stakeholders and interact with regulatory bodies as needed
• Manage external counsel and advisors to ensure timely and cost-effective services
• Implement and maintain a comprehensive compliance structure that encompasses both regulatory obligations and policies and processes, serving as the foundation for the development, enhancement, monitoring, and oversight of Tala India’s compliance requirements
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of the compliance strategy into Tala’s business plans
• Synthesize complex legal requirements into concise analyses and actionable steps
• Identify, assess, and advise on the compliance risks associated with Tala’s current and proposed future business activities, including new products, new business relationships, and ensure implementation of effective strategies to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies and processes
• Maintain and organize legal and corporate governance documentation
• Manage and coach direct reports in the Legal team, including mentorship and delegation of work to team members
• Establish processes for monitoring the progress and success of the in-country legal team
• Work with the Global Legal and Compliance teams to implement systems and procedures for complying with local requirements that are consistent with global strategies

Preferred Qualifications

Preferably experience in fintech and/or working for an international company