Businesses irrespective of the size, concentrate on growing – as they rightly should. As business expands, though not really on the wish list – in the very nature of things it is inevitable that one may encounter issues with legal implications – be it on the statutory compliance front to begin with or with matters in any of the functional departments in the organisation. The Legal needs get more distinct and wider if a startup is going in for funding, M & A and the like.
Drawing from my experience in my last assignment with a leading Corporate with diverse businesses, we had initially commenced operations as an Off-shore development Center for an overseas firm. We developed Software solutions and also provided Tech Support for their operations. The overseas partner took the load off us with the preliminary business documentation which we tweaked to suit our needs. Then came the initial Legal matters for the India operations which involved compliances with the related statutory departments. Then the issues with attrition and employee retention calling for the legendary “carrots & sticks”. Closer review of appointment letters et al, training & service agreements coming into place followed by NDAs (Non-disclosure Agreements) and NSAs (non-solicitation agreements) and the longer list. As business grew and we forayed into Manufacturing, we found ourselves top speeding into bigger & complex legal needs. I can say this is typical of any business.
Legal issues & the medical analogy – best approach for the Entrepreneur / diligent Manager
Any matter with Legal implications can loom large in the mindset of the Entrepreneur or the diligent Manager. Much like the anxiety caused by the gnawing symptoms of a medical issue before seeing the doctor. To continue drawing from the medical analogy – faced with a health issue – we first need to make the critical decision on which doctor to consult! That this is a puzzle in itself is an understatement. Then the specialization, followed by the diagnostics and then the diagnosis. Then comes the treatment little say the second and third opinions! Having tread this tedious path, one would be really fortunate not to feel that nagging disquiet of further complications! (?)
Contrast this with you having a trustworthy & efficient Physician friend – and the result: Everything Absolutely Untangled! (EAU – will the real geek please jump up!) Much of the anxiety dissipated! You’re on TOP where you deserve to be!
My word – this is exactly how a Small business or a Corporate should deal with a Legal issue. BE PROACTIVE. I think these two sentences more than merit making a paragraph. If I stopped writing this piece here, I think the message is clear! Crystal! (Courtesy: Tom Cruise – A few good men….thanks to HBO I must have seen this one a 37 and a half times – mostly in bits and pieces – sparring with the bewildered wife ! It always beats me why the female of the species can’t fathom her man watching his favourite movie yet another time! The court scenes are dramatized but riveting nonetheless!)
Yes & No – In-house Legal Departments
Notwithstanding the median line above, I’ll add a couple of more “clauses” to this piece before I quit – being fair to you and to myself!
Corporates can afford their own legal departments. Yes they can handle the first aid but even they will do well to procure the services of practicing lawyers / law firms to review the pros & cons of the issue, comprehend how it plays out in the judicial mind and to navigate it through the legal maze. And small businesses & MSMEs who typically don’t establish legal departments of their own will side-step timely professional legal advice at a huge risk.
Using stock documentation un-vetted is highly risky
Over the last many months of dealing with Corporate clients in India, I was dumbfounded that decent sized Corporates even in the IT sector have fallen for using stock documents from the cloud for highly critical documentation pertaining to their functional departments. As a consequence they would end up executing absolutely unenforceable documentation with employees, vendors, and other stakeholders exposing the organization to unwarranted risk. This is sad – the indifferent assumption of maybe reacting when something actually goes wrong. This approach is more often than not – fatal to protecting the organizational interests. The message here for Corporates & Small businesses is – please get your documentation legally vetted / reviewed before proceeding further. Let me assure you it will save you much pain later.
A trustworthy Legal Firm – a part of your team
It is always advisable to enlist a trustworthy & efficient Legal Services firm as a part of the team for your business. Never too late! Sooner the better! Why a Legal Services firm? It is to proactively assist the organization with a variety of Statutory Compliances and Legal issues which can crop up in the life of a business. Statutory compliance issues with the different Government regulatory departments; Civil, Criminal, Arbitrations, Company matters etc. Civil matters may cover issues with all functional departments – dealing with Employees – former & current, Vendors, Clients, Industry players etc. Not only in dealing with such matters but to provide sustained support in strategizing for the organization and its growth.
Trujupe Legal Navigations enables significant savings on your Legal budget and precious Executive Time
Trujupe Legal Navigations looks to be that trusted partner for Corporates & MSMEs – for all your legal & statutory compliances needs in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana states. Even if you are already engaged in litigation in A.P. / Telangana states – Trujupe Legal can take your place here. We have corporate clients based out of other Cities across the country for whom we are handling critical litigation in these states. We professionally navigate the litigation ensuring that Clients’ interests are secured. That apart, we create significant savings (for the Client) on precious Executive Time not to speak of reduced travel expense as enlisting Trujupe Legal dispenses with the need for the “hearing to hearing personal monitoring” of the litigation by the client! We attend to the matter closely having stepped into the client’s shoes and donned his jacket – whether the matter is handled by Trujupe’s in-house professionals or Counsels of the clients’ choice or handpicked from Trujupe’s network.
We put our heart & soul into all the aspects of Case Management:
- Strategizing with the client’s participation
- Assimilating the documentation / client input
- Drafting briefing notes, briefing the counsel on clients’ behalf
- Research, Drafting & finalizing pleadings
- Providing agile court hall assistance to the counsel
- Giving the Client a ring-side-view of court proceedings
- Reviewing, strategizing & shuffling postures as warranted in harmony with the client – hearing to hearing – till closure / resolution.
Truthful Services! Justice! Peace!
Good day friends!
Sarat
