Manager- Legal

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At Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, we believe that diversity drives innovation, and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to cultivating a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

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We actively encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our teams. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive experience for all applicants.

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Responsibilities & Key Deliverables

As the Manager - Legal within the Group Legal Division, your core responsibilities will encompass comprehensive management and protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and related legal affairs, mixed with strategic advisory functions for our business units.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough in-house trademark searches to assess availability and risk, providing detailed recommendations to business stakeholders to facilitate informed branding decisions.
• Lead the filing and prosecution process for trademarks and copyrights domestically and internationally, coordinating with both internal accounts teams and external legal counsel to ensure timely and accurate filings.
• Manage all proceedings related to trademark enforcement such as oppositions, hearings, renewals, and infringement actions, working closely with attorneys and the Trademark Registry.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of legal documents including legal notices, plaints, affidavits, and contracts tied to trademarks, copyrights, domain names, and other IPR issues.
• Handle domain name disputes and complaints (e.g., WIPO proceedings), providing expert guidance on emerging IP challenges related to digital assets.
• Advise on brand adoption strategies, safeguarding trademarks across multiple jurisdictions and integrating legal risk assessments into business decision-making.
• Draft and vet IPR clauses in agreements such as distributor, dealer, vendor, franchisee, and technical collaboration contracts, ensuring alignment with business objectives and legal compliance.
• Produce and review privacy policies, website terms & conditions in compliance with applicable laws, notably the Information Technology Act, to protect company interests in digital spheres.
• Maintain and organize comprehensive databases of trademark searches, filings, registrations, litigations, and legal correspondence to enable effective monitoring and reporting.
• Oversee processing of invoices and billing related to attorneys' fees for intellectual property matters, ensuring budget adherence and financial control.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Support continuous improvement initiatives for IP management systems and processes to enhance operational efficiency.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to embed IP awareness throughout the organization through training and knowledge sharing.
• Keep abreast with evolving IP laws and regulatory changes, proactively updating internal stakeholders to mitigate risks.

Experience

Ideal candidates will demonstrate 7-9 years of combined experience within law firms and corporate legal environments, specifically focusing on intellectual property rights management.

Experience should include substantial involvement in handling trademark filings, oppositions, renewals, and infringement litigation, as well as negotiation and drafting of complex contracts involving IPR components.

Exposure to managing cross-border IP registrations and collaborating with external counsel on international jurisdictions will be highly valued.

Applicants with experience in digital rights management, domain name disputes, and privacy law compliance will be at an advantage.

The role requires a track record of working effectively under stringent timelines while maintaining attention to detail and delivering quality legal advice that supports business objectives.

Qualifications

A minimum educational qualification of LLB along with an LLM degree or a relevant diploma/certification in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is essential for this role.

Legal professionals who possess specialized training in trademark law, patent law, copyright law, and related regulatory frameworks will be preferred.

Additional certifications or continuous professional development in corporate law, contract law, or technology/commercial law enhance candidacy.

Demonstrated commitment to staying current with evolving IPR laws and regulatory updates through formal or informal channels is expected.

Functional skills required to execute the role

The successful candidate will possess the following functional skills essential to effectively execute the role:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Indian and international Intellectual Property laws, including procedures for registration, renewal, oppositions, and enforcement.
• Strong familiarity with contract law and corporate legal frameworks to confidently draft and negotiate complex agreements related to IPR.
• Excellent drafting capabilities to create precise, clear, and enforceable legal documents, notices, and opinions.
• Effective communication skills to articulate complex legal matters in an accessible manner to non-legal stakeholders.
• Proficiency with legal research tools, IP databases, and case management systems to streamline workflows.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Behavioural Competencies required

The role requires key behavioural competencies to contribute positively within the team and wider organizational culture:

• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with cross-functional teams and external partners towards shared objectives.
• Passion for IPR: A genuine interest and enthusiasm for intellectual property matters, with a proactive approach to deepening expertise.
• Proactivity and Accountability: Taking ownership of tasks and delivering high-quality outcomes within established deadlines.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous focus on precision in legal drafting, compliance, and case management.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to changing legal landscapes and business priorities.
• Integrity and Confidentiality: Upholding ethical standards and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Key Interactions

Internal Interactions:

• Business teams including Senior Vice Presidents and other leadership for discussions concerning brand strategies, trademark enforcement, and contract negotiations.

External Interactions:

• Engagement with external attorneys specializing in trademark protection, copyright enforcement, and intellectual property litigation.
• Networking and collaboration with external IP professionals and Senior Counsels to exchange best practices and remain updated on industry developments.

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