The biggest challenge before Naresh Arora is to analyse potential risks and ensure that the company does not run into any legal issues. ?That apart, I manage the four verticals of contract execution and management, litigation, compliances, and regulatory affairs. This entails leading and guiding a team of 30 legal professionals and two paralegal personnel,? he comments.
According to Arora, the basic function of the department is to contribute to the company?s growth and revenue, and provide strategic advice to the management on legal and transactional issues affecting it. Other tasks include ensuring that statutory compliances are met, interacting with the government on regulatory and policy issues affecting the industry, and leading the teams working on various contracts with business partners.
?Negotiating with the company?s business partners for successful closure of issues such as mergers and acquisitions, which require due diligence and participation in negotiations for various contracts, is also a part of the job,? he says. Arora represents the company as well as the industry at various business forums.
Arora started his career with Singer Sewing Machines. However, his legal career took shape only after he joined Usha International in 1992. ?Since then, I have handled the legal affairs of various companies in the fields of consumer durables, automotive, services, hospitality and telecom. My association with these companies gave me the opportunity to interact with advocates from various countries including India, the US, the UK, China, SAARC and the Middle East,? he says.
He considers his current stint at Viom Networks as the most noteworthy. ?At Viom, understanding the business, and identifying, training and developing the in-house legal team has been a momentous assignment. I am proud of a team that is competent to handle any legal or regulatory issue of the company,? he says.
An alumnus of Delhi University, Arora also holds a postgraduate diploma in personnel management and industrial relations. Although Arora realises the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, he hasn?t been able to achieve it yet and continues to strive towards it. He unwinds by watching the news and cricket matches; he also loves to read. ?I have always believed that reading helps you gain knowledge, knowledge gives you confidence and with confidence one can take on the world,? he notes.
